The 'operation shield' of FC Barcelona continues its course. After finalizing the renewals of Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martín, and Iñigo Martínez, whose official announcement is imminent, the sports management has focused its efforts on the files of Lamine Yamal, Jules Koundé, and Raphinha, with the aim of securing the future of three of the key figures in Hansi Flick's new project in the Catalan city.
In fact, prior to the victory of the culés against Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, the representatives of the Catalan club in Lisbon, including Deco, held a meeting with the agent of the Mataró star, Jorge Mendes, in which they would presumably discuss the extension of the '19' azulgrana's contract.
However, the football director of Barça denied this information by revealing that "Mendes hosted us yesterday, at a dinner with 20 people, there is no talk of a renewal." Despite this, the Portuguese executive did send a strong message to the youth player and his entourage by stating that "I believe that in Lamine's place, I would think there is no better place than Barcelona to be. He is happy, enjoying, so the renewal issue will be addressed in due time."
The continuity of Raphinha and Ansu Fati at Barça
Similarly, Deco did not hide the desire of the azulgrana entity to retain Raphinha, who already has an offer on the table to renew his contract beyond 2027, the date when his current link expires. "Renewals have their timings, from the club and the player's own contract. Raphinha's will follow its normal course. He is having a great season and, if he continues like this, of course, we want to have him for many seasons," admitted the Portuguese.
Finally, regarding the complicated situation of Ansu Fati in the team (he hasn't seen minutes since January 4), the sports director of Barça cleared the air by stating that "Ansu is part of the squad: he has had bad luck with injuries while he was growing. Evaluations will be made at the end", leaving more open than ever a 'soap opera' that seems to end with the departure of the forward from the Catalan city.