FC Barcelona are entering the final stretch of the transfer window with the potential for plenty of movement.
And their priorities are clear: a striker, with Julian Alvarez still the main target, Rodri and Joao Cancelo. However, the sporting department is also working on another potential addition.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Deco wants to sign a top-level left-footed centre-back in the final days of the window if the finances allow it, a decision he has considered necessary for weeks despite internal debate.
New centre-back on the agenda
Deco already believed at the beginning of the summer that the defence needed a major reinforcement.
That led Barcelona to explore a move for Alessandro Bastoni of Inter, but the option was eventually abandoned because there was no sporting consensus and his valuation was considered too high.
The centre-back issue was subsequently put on hold, but Ronald Araujo’s departure has reopened the possibility, and Barça are now determined to explore the market again.
Flick does not see a new centre-back as a priority. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Hansi Flick, however, has never considered the position a priority. The German coach would welcome an improvement to his squad but believes the main effort should go toward finding a centre-forward.
Flick is very happy with Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, while the squad also has Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia, and academy defender Alvaro Cortes has also impressed.
Still, the Catalans believe that adding an experienced centre-back would provide greater security and depth.
Laporte and Lukeba on the List
Barcelona have been searching for a high-quality defender who can make an immediate impact, similar to the role previously played by Inigo Martinez.
The ideal candidate would be left-footed, experienced and comfortable playing in Flick’s high defensive line.
One name that has gained prominence is Aymeric Laporte. His camp previously indicated that there was an affordable release clause, prompting Barça to examine the possibility.
Aymeric Laporte remains an option for Barcelona. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Laporte would be an especially natural fit because he already played alongside Cubarsi during the World Cup, where their partnership produced an excellent performance.
The complication is that Athletic maintain there is no such affordable release clause and have no intention of negotiating his departure.
Another name to have emerged is Castello Lukeba, the RB Leipzig centre-back who has been closely monitored by Barça scouts throughout the year.
He is a younger option with strong potential, good distribution and considerable physical power. The drawback is financial: signing Lukeba now would require a substantial investment.
Deco’s final move
The centre-back file is therefore far from closed. Barcelona’s immediate focus remains on the striker, Rodri and Cancelo, with the latter two operations considered close to completion.
Once those deals are resolved, the club will turn its attention to the defence. That is the final market coup Deco wants to make: adding one more major piece to complete Barça’s squad.