Barcelona Bids Farewell to Rashford and Cancelo, Welcomes Back Four Players

Barcelona has kicked off its preparations for the new season as the new football year begins, marking the end of all loan contracts from last season. Marcus Rashford and Joao Cancelo will officially leave the team, while four players will return to the club, according to Spanish newspaper "Sport".

The report states that Rashford will return to Manchester United after Barcelona decided not to activate the option to buy his contract for €30 million, especially with the club signing compatriot Anthony Gordon, who coach Hans Flick considers a better fit due to his pressing and defensive capabilities, thus ending the English winger's stint with the Catalan side.

Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo will return to Al Hilal, which has called him back to start preparations for the new season in Saudi Arabia. However, "Sport" noted that both the player and Barcelona's sports management are still interested in continuing their collaboration through a permanent transfer, although the high financial demands from the Saudi club complicate negotiations at this time.

On the flip side, Barcelona will regain the services of four players after their loan spells, namely Marc-André ter Stegen, Hector Fort, Aaron Yakubishvili, and Andres Cuenca, although the future of any of them with the first team next season remains uncertain.

The newspaper added that ter Stegen will return after a loan spell with Girona, where he only played two matches due to injuries, while he is close to a loan move to Ajax, pending agreement on the salary percentage each club will bear.

Hector Fort will also return to undergo evaluation by Hans Flick during the pre-season preparations.