Barcelona’s director of Football Deco has confirmed the most important of the summer transfer window, with two prominent positions ahead of others. The Blaugrana’s financial situation will also remain unknown until the window rolls around, with the Catalan club forced to rely on bank guarantees to sign players.
For the most part, Barcelona is linked with defenders and forwards. Inigo Martinez was an unexpected departure last summer, and Hansi Flick has been forced to step up with Gerard Martin in defense at times. On the other hand, Robert Lewandowski’s future is up in the air, as his contract expires. Deco confirmed in an interview with Sport that this is his thinking.
“Yes, the situation is the same, but sometimes things surprise you. The season… I always say that four months of football is like four years of life. It’s forever. Last month we won the Super Cup and it looks like we haven’t won anything. But, that’s football.”
🚨 Robert Lewandowski will decide on his future after the presidential election. He has many options on the table, but his priority is to continue at FC Barcelona even if it is at a reduced salary. Right now, the Pole wants stability and family happiness over money. [@RogerTorello] 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/a4qqE7iSum
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 12, 2026
‘Nobody has the quality and numbers of Lewandowski’
In the past, Julian Alvarez has probably been the player most linked to Barcelona in terms of strikers, but there are questions as to whether they can afford him. Deco was asked what type of striker they were looking for.
“We should not worry about one striker because the team is doing well. We have Ferran and Rashford; we will see what we can do to make decisions. If we talk about the best striker, the best number 9 in the last ten years, it was Robert. There is no one like him. It is not easy to go to the market and look for someone like Robert because teams tend to look for other types of strikers.”
“Maybe Bayern have a striker who likes to go forward. No one has the quality of Robert and his statistics. Barça need to look for players with technical ability, the ability to communicate with their teammates, and the ability to find solutions.”
Deco on Marcus Rashford’s future
Another striker whose future is attracting a lot of attention is that of Marcus Rashford. Barcelona have reportedly informed Manchester United that they intend to sign him, and have a €30 million purchase option in the deal, although they may try to negotiate a price. Hansi Flick was quick to praise him throughout the season, and Deco followed suit.
“Yes, of course [we’re pleased with him]. I don’t think it’s easy to come here. He is a footballer who has played at a very high level, who is in great demand at a club like Manchester United. He then spent six months at Aston Villa, where he did an excellent job. In fact, Aston Villa, if they could, would have kept him; I know this because I have talked to people there. But he only wanted to come to Barca, and that is a very good thing. We were able to get a loan. The fact that he took a reduced salary to make it happen is clear evidence that he really wanted to come, and we’re very happy about that. He is a player who contributes a lot to the team.”
Ferran Torres’ contract status
Their other option at number nine is Ferran Torres. There have been suggestions that Barcelona could look to cash in on Torres, who is out of contract in 2027. Deco avoided committing to anything about the new deal.
“Yes, Ferran is a player we rely on. He has a legal contract, and we have to take things a little at a time. We cannot explain everything because there is a strategy behind it from the sports management: in some cases, it is for reasons of safety; in others, the preparation of the team and balance; and in others, it is because of the contractual conditions when players come from others, especially if they come from other clubs. Every player has his time and opportunity.
“He is not a player who is underestimated in terms of contract; on the contrary, he has a big contract with the team. There is no injustice in that. But he is also a player who needs support, he needs to feel the support of the team, and we are there for him. It’s just that the conditions are different. There is Fair Play that we have to fix, little by little we have seen a few things that we have to fix.
Barcelona will have to consider giving him a new contract or selling him in the coming months. Torres has proved vital under Hansi Flick, contributing many goals and stepping in where needed for Robert Lewandowski. However, doubts remain as to whether he can be their long-term starter.
