Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that the Catalan club are interested in Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
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Barcelona interested in Diaz and RashfordDeco claims renewals are priority at BarcaWill likely not look for a natural striker optionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona's campaign this season has been their finest since 2019, as Hansi Flick's high-intensity football has led the Catalan side to a domestic treble. The front line of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal have put on a show in Europe as they have scored 92 goals combined, with super sub Ferran Torres scoring 19. However, reports have suggested that Barcelona may be looking to sign a new winger this summer with Diaz and Rashford being discussed as the likeliest option.
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Barcelona sporting director Deco has now confirmed that the Catalan side like both the aforementioned Premier League stars, but claimed that the club will also be prioritising strengthening their squad by handing their current players renewals. The Brazilian also added that the Catalans will likely not make a move for a proper striker despite having next to no natural replacement for 36-year-old Lewandowski, as they have a number of different profiles to play in the No. 9 position.
Getty ImagesWHAT DECO SAID
Speaking to RAC1, Deco said: "Talking about players who have contracts with other clubs is complicated out of respect. We like Luis [Diaz], we like [Marcus] Rashford, and we like other players. When we go to the market, there are names that we know and that could improve the team.
"Our big priority is to strengthen what we have at home, renewals of Pedri, Gavi, Araujo, Raphinha, Kounde… I understand that when people talk about signings, they always think about players coming from abroad, but for me, renewals are also signings. Lamine is the best signing in history. Then, if the team can be improved. From what we've seen this season, we need a player with a different profile to what we have to help the strikers. Fermín has played as a winger and has done well. The composition of the squad also depends on the market.
On the striker position, he added: “In the squad we have players capable of playing there such, as Ferran Torres, who has had a spectacular season, Dani Olmo, as a false ‘9’, Fermin. This squad has internal solutions when Lewandowski is not there. Inter have a pure striker like Thuram, PSG don’t have them, and Arsenal don’t have them either. We should not be obsessed with looking for a ‘9’, today we have one and many solutions.”
WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
The Catalan side failed their ultimate goal of winning the Champions League this season. However, they will be hopeful that reinforcements and an improvement in defence will help them clinch the club's sixth European title in the future.