Deco clarifies the future of Barça: signings, renewals and the Lamine Yamal case

The sporting director of Barça reviewed all the hot topics of the club on RAC1: Flick's continuity, squad stability, the future of Lamine Yamal, renewals, signings and Financial Fair Play.

Flick until 2026? Deco explains why he is still the chosen one

Deco explained that the continuity of the German coach responds to the desire to give solidity to the sports project after a successful season.

“Flick's renewal is looking for a bit of stability for the coming years. He has given balance to the project and has identified with the club and with the city”.

Flick has been able to integrate the club's model and give confidence to young people, so his continuity was a priority in the sports management.

Has the reconstruction of Barça been completed?

For Deco, the 2024/25 season does not mark a new beginning, but the consolidation of a path that began in 2021 with the return of Laporta.

“Since Jan entered, there was talk of reconstruction. This year is a bit of a consolidation that the path was good”.

The combination of youth and experience is, according to Deco, the basis of the project that is now ready to compete for everything.

Objective achieved? Competing for everything was the goal

Deco stated that the team has managed to fulfill its main objective: to fight for all the titles and stay in the European elite.

“The most important thing is when you see that your team can compete at the highest level. Winning or not are details, but you have to get there”.

The Champions League semi-final and the national treble confirm that Barça has returned to being competitive globally.

Renewals before signings? Barça's internal plan

The club prioritizes maintaining the current base of the team before launching into the market. Renewals are seen as real reinforcements.

“Our idea is to improve the team without lowering the level. Renewing players like Pedri, Gavi or Araújo is our great objective”.

Deco defends that ensuring the continuity of pillars is as important as bringing new names.

Will Lamine Yamal be the highest paid? Deco clarifies the situation

Deco confirmed that the renewal of the young player is progressing well and denied that the player has demanded exorbitant figures or being the highest paid in the team.

“He has a maturity beyond normal. The important thing is that he is happy and content. Lamine has never asked for anything or demanded to be the highest paid”.

The club considers him one of the most valuable assets of the present and future, and wants to shield him without breaking the salary scale.

Will Frenkie de Jong lower his salary? The club's position

The Dutchman is not obliged to renounce what he signed, and Deco was blunt about the mistakes of the past.

“Frankie is not to blame for what he signed. He is committed, feels good and is important to us”.

The club will seek a reasonable agreement, but without tensions or impositions that harm the relationship with the player.

Rafinha, a deserved renewal after a brilliant season

Deco highlighted the Brazilian's commitment and his impact on the game. He confirmed that his renewal is ready.

“From the first minute he didn't want to leave. He has been at a brutal level”.

Rafinha rejected lucrative offers to continue competing at the highest level at the Camp Nou.

Conflict of interest? Deco denies links with Vitor Roque

The sporting director denied having been Vitor Roque's representative, as Víctor Font had insinuated.

“I was never his agent. I left all my companies and roles as a representative when I entered Barça”.

The case could end up in court for defamation and damage to Deco's professional image.

Will there be star signings? Deco bets on stability

Barça is not considering major moves if it manages to close the key renewals. The incorporations will be specific.

“If it can be improved, we will try, but the important thing is stability”.

The club focuses on collective performance, not on media names that break the harmony of the group.

Financial Fair Play: a labyrinth for Barça

Deco lamented that the club has restrictions that other big clubs in Europe do not suffer.

“We are at a disadvantage compared to other big clubs. We will see what margin we have after the renewals”.

The progress of renewals and departures will mark what can be signed and when it can be registered.

Is Araújo still indisputable?

The Uruguayan had less prominence this season, but he is still an essential part of the project, according to Deco.

“For me he is one of the best central defenders in the world. We renewed because we are happy”.

His lower participation was due to the good dynamics of the team and not to a lack of confidence.

Eric García, a success story after his loan

The Catalan central defender has recovered his level at Girona and the club wants to continue counting on him.

“Eric has regained his confidence. I always believed in his level. He has been key to the team's success”.

His versatility and mental strength have been key to his revaluation.

Fairer VAR? Deco believes it has generated confusion

The sporting director was critical of the current arbitration system and called for reforms.

“It hasn't improved anything. It has brought more confusion. Not even those of us inside understand how it is decided”.

He considers it urgent to redefine the use of VAR and avoid arbitrary decisions that affect the sport.

What is the ideal squad for Deco?

He defends a group of 20 players with reinforcements from the youth team as a recipe for sports and human balance.

“An ideal squad has to have about 20 players and 4 or 5 young players. The most difficult thing is to manage egos”.

The model bets on meritocracy and the development of internal talent.

Will Deco continue at the club?

His continuity is conditioned to the project of Joan Laporta, with whom he shares a vision of the club.

“The project is with Jan. I would only leave for personal reasons”.

Deco reaffirms his commitment to the project as long as Laporta remains at the head of the club.