Barça played the Joan Gamper trophy (2-1) but Deco’s mind is on the final stretch of the market. Barcelona’s sporting director confirmed that the club has not given up on bringing in a number nine to strengthen the attack, although the club is coming to terms with the fact that signing Julián Álvarez is increasingly complicated. In fact, Deco explicitly announced that Barça plans to bring in a striker after Lewandowski’s farewell, following the end of his contract at 37 years old. “We will probably make some move,” he revealed on TV3.
Read more Barça takes a Gamper in which Flick gives few clues while waiting for the number nine
And he argued it this way: “We have lost two forwards with Lewandowski and Ferran Torres – transferred to PSG. With those who have arrived, we can cover Ferran’s roles,” he said about the characteristics of Gordon and Adeyemi. “But it will be very difficult to replace Robert, who made history with us (120 goals in 4 seasons). We have internal options for his position but we will probably make some move.”
We are looking for that player we are missing. Deco does a great job and I trust him with my eyes closed”
Hansi Flick
Barcelona Coach
That is what Flick wants, who for now has the option of a false 9 or the young Hamza. “We are looking for that player. Deco does a great job and I trust him with my eyes closed,” the German coach explicitly explained.
That said, Deco and Flick also agree on the success with Rodri. “At first he was not in the plans but when we saw there was an option, we thought he could contribute a lot. There is always room for improvement and Rodri improves us a lot. There is always rivalry but we did not sign him to take him from Madrid. That would be a mistake. We are not in the fight to beat Madrid but because we think about what he can bring us,” explained the Portuguese.
Read more Gamper: From Flick and Raphinha’s speeches to the ovation for Rodri and the boos for De Jong
Rodri improves us a lot. We did not sign him to take him from Madrid. That would be a mistake, but for what he can bring us”
Deco
Barcelona Sporting Director
The coach is also delighted with the 30-year-old playmaker. “Rodri was the best player of the World Cup. He is good with the ball and provides structure. He is a leader on the field and in the locker room. That is what we want,” Flick praised his new player, but not the last one. Before the market closes, Cancelo must arrive (he was already present at Spotify Camp Nou but only in the stands) and a number nine.
Rodri has also landed well in the locker room. “I had him as a teammate at City and he is going to help us a lot. He joins the great team we have,” predicted Eric Garcia about his teammate also in the Spanish national team that just won the World Cup. “He is a great player, the best defensive midfielder in the world, a Ballon d’Or who will help us a lot,” summarized Balde.
We want all the titles and if it can be the Champions League, even better
Alejandro Balde
Barcelona Defender
Deco has ten days left to put the finishing touch on a very exciting project. “One of the good things we have achieved is that any player wants to come to Barça. What excites players is having a winning project. Here you can win, be happy and make history,” he said about the double league winner. “We want all the titles and if it can be the Champions League, even better,” Balde showed ambition.
Read more Waiting for today’s train
