Deco gave a lengthy interview to “Mundo Deportivo.”
As usual, it covered current issues, especially regarding Barcelona’s transfer market: “Our project is going well. We had the problem with Ter Stegen, which we hadn’t anticipated, but it was covered by bringing in another goalkeeper. At the beginning of the season, we knew that sooner or later we’d recover Gavi and Frenkie de Jong. Now I think we have a well-covered team in all positions.”
Lewandowski is getting older. Is buying a ‘9’ one of your priorities when thinking about the future?
It’s not a priority because we need to focus on this season. Of course, we’re thinking about the future, but if we work too much for the future, we forget the present. We have to consider what we need to do now. What happens this season could affect the future. Personally, I hope Lewandowski continues at the same level. He’s one of the best professionals I’ve seen in my life. He has scored a lot of goals, even at 36 years old. I think it’s very hard to find a forward like Robert today, with his values and characteristics. We’ll focus first on what Robert can still achieve. He’s happy here, and there’s a clause allowing him to stay if he reaches certain objectives. Anyway, a player like Robert isn’t motivated by money, but by passion. I hope he continues like this next season as well.”
When Lewandowski eventually leaves, will we need to aspire to sign a top forward? Is signing Haaland a dream for Barça, considering its financial situation?
First, we need to know if Haaland is the one we want for the future. We don’t know that at the moment. Today we don’t want any ‘9’ because we have Robert. We aren’t planning anything. When it’s time to make a decision, we will. We’ll evaluate the options, but it’s not the time to talk about this aspect.
Could Sporting’s Gyökeres fit into these criteria?
He’s a good player and has been scoring goals in Portugal for a while. We know him, just like we know others, but he’s not one of our priorities right now. We’re not looking for a ‘9’ to replace Robert because we want him here. We hope he keeps scoring goals; Lewandowski feels happy here.
