Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has caused controversy with his scattergun transfer strategy for the 2025-26 season, and the problem has become worse rather than better.
Initially looking to strengthen the full-back position, Deco’s focus shifted to high-profile striker targets like Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, only to most recently focus on Athletic Club attacker Nico Williams and Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, as per Barcablaugrana.
This lack of continuity has annoyed the manager, Hansi Flick, and unsettled the squad, as it is all very unclear where the club is headed.
The signing of García, who, quite rightly, is regarded as the best goalkeeper in La Liga right now, should be seen as a problem.
Though to be viewed as a coup for the club, it could potentially leave captain Marc-André ter Stegen displaced, who is said to be furious and requesting payment in full for his €42 million contract to leave.
Deco has also been deemed as treating senior players like Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo disrespectfully, and there are whispers of “painful sales” ahead to accommodate new signings like Williams.
All of these moves are to make space for the new signings because of the financial issues at the club that necessitate reducing wage bills to comply with La Liga regulations, according to club president Javier Tebas.
Deco’s meeting not long ago with Flick in Ibiza, also with Bojan and Alejandro Echevarri, was intended to get the two men’s transfer plans in sync.
However, the shift at the club from wingers to full-backs to now a goalkeeper shows a lack of synchronicity of useful thought.
With previously poor finances still an issue for Barcelona, it seems Deco is carelessly prioritising publicity signings over stability, which may drain the team’s morale, eventually.
One can see Flick with his dream XI for the coming 2025-26, while the club manages between now and then to ensure, (not so) happily ever after without conflict, to allow for competitiveness in La Liga, and so on.
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