BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Barcelona is my club. I saw what was happening from the outside and I always thought I could lend a hand to bring it back to the top levels”. Deco, a former Blaugrana player and now sporting director, is among those who has contributed most to the rebirth of Barça.
“I knew it would be difficult with these financial rules, because here we are not talking about economic problems but about financial fair play, whose rules in Spain are tougher than in the Premier League and other countries – he told the BBC – They are a problem for many clubs, but people only talk about Barça because we are a big club. You have to work on it, look for ways to improve the team, and the combination between the players from La Masia and the more experienced ones has been important”.
Barça won the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey and La Liga, stopping in the Champions League one step away from the final. In recent weeks, the renewals of coach Flick and of various players have arrived, above all Yamal and Raphinha.
“We will not sell our best players and will instead grow with many of the players who are already here. We will then make two, three or four buyers but without madness. Rashford and Diaz? For now we have concentrated on the renewal of the contracts, then we will discuss the new grafts. Rashford and Diaz are strong, but they are both under contract so it wouldn’t be correct to talk about them. In any case, we don’t need many buyers”.
Barcelona has also regained its appeal. “When I talk to the players’ agents, everyone wants to come or stay. This is important. The club’s image is still positive. We are proud because Barcelona is still a great club, and the way we play makes the players want to come”.
But the biggest move was to secure Yamal until 2031. “The comparisons with Messi? Lamine is Lamine, Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club and, for me, the best player in history in general. Everyone goes crazy watching Lamine play, everyone would pay to see him in the stadium, he is special and wanted to stay because he believes in the project. He deserved a higher salary and will become one of the best in the world. But let’s not forget that he is only 17. Lamine, for quality, can write history like Leo. But to do that he must have a great team around him”.
One of the reinforcements that Deco was referring to could be Thomas Partey: according to the “Sun”, there is already a negotiation underway for the almost 32-year-old midfielder who has not yet reached an agreement with Arsenal to renew his contract that expires at the end of the month.
The player, who has an excellent relationship with Arteta, would be happy to stay in London but since it is most likely his last big contract, he would like a salary that is worthy of his qualities.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
