Barcelona sporting director Deco has clarified the club’s transfer activities during the summer transfer window.
Deco revealed that Barça were set to sign Julián Álvarez for €100 million (£86m)—to be paid in three installments—had Atlético Madrid approved the move.
Deco also debunked rumors that Barcelona asked Álvarez to force a move, explaining that the Madrid club never left any room for negotiation.
“We made an offer, and we did not get a response,” the former Portugal international told RAC1 in an interview quoted by TNT Sports on Thursday.
“That’s where the matter ends. If the player has asked to leave, it is none of my business. You cannot say that we have done things wrong.”
The Argentina international was among many big-name players that were part of Barca’s recruitment process that summer when the team signed six new players into the squad. Of all these acquisitions, the most expensive was Gordon, who cost the Spanish giants €70m (£60m) after Barca decided not to exercise their €30m (£25.75m) option for Rashford.
Deco explained the choice of former Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford.
“We are extremely grateful to Rashford,” he said. “He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony. His style fits with what the coach is looking for.”
The 25-year-old has already had a creative effect on the team by providing five assists in his first five games without scoring a goal yet.
It was Deco who explained why the young talent Bernardo Silva ended up in Madrid rather than at Camp Nou, even though the midfielder wanted to move there.
Bernardo Silva has signed for rivals Real Madrid due to disagreement on the playing time of the player and money matters.
“He wasn’t what we were looking for in the end,” he stated, while still describing Silva as one of the world’s finest players in his position.
