Barcelona sporting director Deco said the club signed Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford because he fits the team's style of play better. Rashford scored 14 goals for Barça last season as they won La Liga and the Spanish Supercopa, but the Spanish champions opted against taking up a €30 million option to make the deal permanent. Instead, Barça spent €70m to bring in Gordon as their new left winger from Newcastle United.

"We are extremely grateful to Rashford," Deco said in an interview with RAC1 on Thursday. "He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony. His style fits with what the coach [Hansi Flick] is looking for."

Gordon, 25, is yet to open his account for Barça but has laid on five assists in his first five games for the club. Deco says they targeted the England international over other options because of his energy.

"We see every training session and analyse the team," Deco added. "We have a clear idea what we're looking for. One of the areas we struggled last season, without Raphinha, was that the team's energy dropped. It was lost. We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted and we worked on a deal from there."