For several weeks, rumors have been racing around FC Barcelona. Erling Haaland, Serhou Guirassy… the names of several big scorers are already circulating to succeed Robert Lewandowski, whose long-term future remains uncertain. With a contract until 2026 and less sharp performances than when he started, the Polish striker no longer embodies the confidence of yesterday. Supporters were therefore hoping for a world star to relaunch the Catalan offensive project. But Deco came to cool all these expectations in one fell swoop.
“Signing a number 9 would be a mistake”
The Barça sporting director surprised everyone by clearly closing the door to XXL recruitment in attack. Interviewed by Catalunya Radio, he said: “We shouldn't be obsessed with the idea of recruiting a number 9. Maybe we can do without it. Now is not the time to talk about transfers. Ferran can play in this role. » A sentence full of meaning, which calls into question the very idea of a replacement for Lewandowski.
Deco even cited the example of PSG, winner of the Champions League without having a real surface attacker.e. “Talking about a number 9 is a mistake, even if there are excellent players”he insisted, favoring a fluid, mobile and collective attack over a pure finisher profile.
A strategic vision that questions
This speech is part of a broader desire to stabilize the sporting project and consolidate the existing workforce rather than investing massively. At 37, Lewandowski remains under contract, and Deco prefers to concentrate on “recovery of the injured » and key extensions rather than a costly transfer.
A pragmatic approach, certainly, but one that leaves supporters wanting more. Because if Ferran Torres helps out in this position, many doubt his ability to replace Lewandowski in the long term. And supporters were already dreaming of an explosive duo with Haaland or a bet on Guirassy, two avenues that management now seems to rule out.
A risky bet for the future of Barça
In reality, this position also reflects the economic reality of the club, which is still financially fragile. A recruit of this caliber would represent a colossal investment, incompatible with current priorities. But this choice carries risks: if Lewandowski were to leave or decline quickly, Barça could find themselves without a real reference scorer.
Deco, however, assumes this strategy: focusing on stability, tactical adaptation and internal emergence rather than spectacular recruitment. A vision that divides, between supporters of a patient project and supporters frustrated to see Haaland's dream slip away.
