Barcelona’s summer transfer window stance revealed by Deco after Luis Diaz approach rejected by Liverpool

Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that the club are still looking to strengthen in attack in the summer transfer window.

The Catalan giants enjoyed a successful domestic campaign, winning three trophies including the La Liga title, beating fierce rivals Real Madrid by four points.

Head coach Hansi Flick will hope to be given the necessary resources to challenge in Europe next season, especially as Barca only narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League final after losing 7-6 on aggregate against Inter Milan in the semi-final in May.

Sporting director Deco insisted that the side are hoping to reinforce their offensive ranks, but added that the club are satisfied with every other department, telling Mundo Deportivo: “I think we have quite a good balance, both in defence and in midfield.

“There are players who are still going to grow – like Gavi, who returns from injury, but with pre-season he will improve a lot. There is also Marc Bernal, who was injured at the beginning of the season. We have Araujo and Dani Olmo, with whom we are working so that they do not suffer injuries again.

“In attack, it will depend on what we can do in the market, but it may be the only area in which we identify that one or the other player is missing.”

News that Barca are looking to strengthen in the forward line will come as welcome relief to fans following news that the side’s approach to Liverpool for winger Luis Diaz had been rebuffed.

Are Barca making a mistake by focusing on attack?

Signing a forward player should be considered sensible seeing as Lamine Yamal is just 17 years old and would undoubtedly benefit from being rotated in order to avoid being overplayed.

Additionally, striker Robert Lewandowski will be 37 in August, and while he managed to score 42 goals last term, it would be surprising if he continued to produce at the same level as he approaches his forties.

It should be noted that the club do have other needs, particularly in the backline given centre-back Pau Cubarsi is just 18 years old, while Inigo Martinez is 33 and could decline as he ages.

Bringing in a more experienced central defender may be of paramount importance, especially as Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses cost them the chance of playing in the Champions League final.

There have been question marks raised about Barca’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny, both of whom are in their thirties and experienced mixed 2024-25 campaigns.

However, the news that the Catalans are Joan Garcia will be a boost to concerned supporters - as well as Flick himself - and the Spaniard is expected to come in as number one.

Written by
Lewis Nolan