BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – There will be no moves in January; decisions on redeeming Rashford and renewing Lewandowski will be made later on, while a return of Messi is to be ruled out. And Ter Stegen’s situation needs attention. Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, spoke about the present and future on “Cadena Ser” and ahead of the winter transfer window he made it clear that “we have clear ideas. We had prioritised contract renewals to ensure stability for the future. In January it’s difficult to find good players, and I don’t think we need anyone at the moment. Departures? Not those either”.
There is, however, the Ter Stegen issue: with the World Cup approaching, he will want playing time once he returns from injury. “First he needs to recover”, Deco commented. “When we signed Joan Garcia, we knew it was a choice for both present and future, but everything was sped up by Marc’s injury. No one has a contractual right to play. That’s up to the coach. Every player is free to look for opportunities if they want to play. But Marc isn’t even ready to be called up yet; first he must be available, then he can assess his options”.
There is more certainty around Eric Garcia (“he will renew, but some details are still missing”), while Deco remained tight-lipped both about the possible permanent signing of Rashford (“nothing has been decided; we’re happy with him, he’s giving us a lot, but this isn’t the time to talk about signings”) and about Lewandowski’s contract renewal, which expires at the end of the season.
“At the moment he is our No. 9 and he has a contract. Speculation is normal, but this is not the time to think about it. He has given us a lot and I believe he still has more to offer. We haven’t talked to him yet, because when players reach a certain age these discussions need to be held year by year,” Deco explained. And like Laporta, he dismissed the idea of a return—at least as a player—of Leo Messi: “I don’t think his arrival is possible; he has a contract with Inter Miami. He is a great player, but it’s not a topic right now”.
Speaking of the Argentinian and comparisons with Yamal, and stressing that “we don’t interfere in players’ private lives” the Barça director underlined that “they are different. Messi had no pressure when he started, and he earned his place at the right moment—something Lamine would also do in that context. But Lamine is currently at a different stage”.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
