Current sporting director of the Catalonian club Deco has made it clear that Barça has no intention of signin two of the most desired players on the market. He even had the opportunity to bring them in for free. However, Barça has decided to reject these transfers for a reason that might surprise more than one fan. The age of both players is an inconvenience and Deco prefers to focus on youngsters with a promising future.
The Search for a Long-Term Future
Deco has explained the direction he wants to take in the transfer market. The Barça sporting director is focused on strengthening the team with players who also have great potential for the future. For this reason, he has ruled out players such as Tottenham striker Son Heung-min, despite the fact that he's one of the most prominent names in world soccer.
Although Son remains an elite player, Deco believes that the South Korean's age doesn't fit with the renewal philosophy that Barça is implementing. The club is looking to invest in players who can offer a long career and contribute in the long term. This would be difficult for Son, given his age.
Mohamed Salah and His Future at Barça
Mohamed Salah's case is similar to that of Son. Despite being one of the most outstanding footballers in the world, he's been ruled out by Deco due to his age. Salah, who's just turned 32, remains a key player for Liverpool, but his profile doesn't fit the long-term needs that Deco demands for Barça. Although the Egyptian has proven his worth, Barça's idea is to bring in younger players who can perform at their best for several years.
Despite the Salah rumors at Barça, it seems the club doesn't want to make an investment for a player who could be at the end of his career. Deco states that he prefers to focus on players who can be the foundation of the future, not just stars for one or two seasons.
Deco's Long-Term Vision
Deco's job as sporting director is geared toward ensuring that Barça be competitive again in the future. Rather than looking for transfers that will make an immediate impact, Deco prefers to opt for youngsters with great potential.
This philosophy is aligned with the need to rejuvenate the squad and create a solid foundation that can be competitive for many years.