Deco talks fair play margin, Gavi, Rashford, Luis Diaz, Nico Williams – ‘Not signing doesn’t mean doing nothing’

Barcelona sporting director Deco has given an honest insight into the club’s transfer activity, contract renewals, and ongoing financial fair play restrictions. 

Speaking with Mundo Deportivo, he reflected on what has been another summer filled with difficult decisions and tough negotiations.

This is now the second straight summer where Barça have faced limits when signing new players because of financial fair play. Deco, however, made it clear that this is not an issue unique to Barcelona.

“This is something that affects all clubs, not just us. The clubs voted for these regulations, so once they are approved, they can’t complain. 

“Three years ago, Barça signed Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Kounde. Not signing players doesn’t mean doing nothing. We’ve renewed Pedri, Gavi, and Raphinha.”

Deco also added that the team’s progress cannot be doubted. 

“Barça is back where it belongs, competing for titles, with players being recognised with individual awards as a result of the collective effort. 

“The only thing is that perhaps this whole issue of ‘fair play’ confuses people from the outside, and they ask me, ‘But doesn’t Barça have problems?’. 

“No, Barça doesn’t have problems. It has ‘fair play’ problems, but that’s not important.”

Managing exits and loan deals

Clement Lenglet was not in Barcelona’s plan. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The summer saw several important decisions, especially around players leaving on loan or permanently.

Deco explained that some exits, like Clement Lenglet, were clear from the beginning.

“We had some things clear with some players. Lenglet was no longer with us last season and we weren’t counting on him because we had too many centre-backs. 

“Oriol [Romeu] was coming off a loan and it was normal that he had to leave. Ansu needed to play, and Monaco is good for him; it fits perfectly with what he wants and what we want. 

“Pau Víctor was going to get less playing time with the arrival of Rashford, as was Pablo [Torre], who I think is a star, but he wasn’t going to get playing time because we have more players in midfield.”

Words on Gavi

One of the biggest blows has been the injury to Gavi, who will be out for five months. Deco did not hide his feelings. 

“I said last season that he is irreplaceable, he has a unique character, he is a complete footballer. He has been at this level for so long and he is only 21. 

“He has been in the first team for almost five years. I hope he will be like Xavi and Puyol, who grew up here and will be legends of the club. 

“It’s a significant loss for the present, but the most important thing is Gavi in the years to come. Gavi is an asset to the club, a player who will go down in the club’s history.”

Rashford, Diaz and Nico Williams transfer talks

Barcelona are happy with Marcus Rashford. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Deco also cleared the air around transfers involving Marcus Rashford, Luis Diaz, and Nico Williams. He explained that Rashford’s loan is straightforward, with no hidden penalties. 

“He’s on a simple loan, there’s no penalty, and if we want him, we have an option to buy. What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing.”

On Diaz, Deco admitted it was impossible from the start because Liverpool were posing a strong opposition. 

“With Diaz, Liverpool were pretty tough from the first minute, refusing to sell him, and it’s even more complicated that way, like if they came to us and we didn’t want to put a player on the market. 

“Luis’ move ended up being impossible. Rashford’s move was also complicated at first, but it became a little easier because United were more open to a loan, and that gave us more leeway.”

Lastly, he also revealed that Nico Williams was discussed, but did not materialise. “There was no failure. 

“We simply set the club’s conditions, then the negotiations had to be put on paper, in contracts, and we said that we did not accept the conditions they were imposing on us because no player is going to dictate terms to us, and in the end, nothing happened. 

“We gave them a deadline to respond, they did not respond, they went their way and we went ours,” he concluded.