Raphinha's season deserves applause. Despite being close to leaving last summer, he has made a spectacular leap in quality. His offensive performance has been key to keeping Barça standing.
With 34 goals and 25 assists, no one has been as decisive in practically all of Europe. Raphinha has shown character, ambition, and an admirable technical evolution. He is, without a doubt, one of the big names of the season.
Raphinha doesn't have guaranteed starting position next season
However, looking ahead to the next campaign, his position is not assured. Deco, Barça's sporting director, hinted at this. His goal is to reduce the dependence on Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
"We lack alternatives on the flanks," Deco confessed a few days ago at a private event. "We are looking for similar profiles to have more resources," he added. Despite the great level offered by the "11," the team needs more depth.
Deco wants to reinforce Barça's offensive front: 3 names
Among the chosen ones, an old desire of the fans stands out: Nico Williams. The Athletic winger is highly regarded for his dribbling, speed, and ability to associate. His profile would fit perfectly with Flick's plans.
Additionally, Nico has a good relationship with several members of the locker room. His price is not low, but at Barça, they consider that his performance justifies it. He would be one of the strongest bets in the market.
Marcus Rashford is also liked
Alongside him, another name that excites is Marcus Rashford, currently at Aston Villa. The English forward has had an irregular season, but his quality is indisputable. Additionally, he wants to leave Manchester United in search of new challenges.
He was very close to arriving in January, but the negotiations weren't closed in time. As of today, he keeps the desire to wear Barça's jersey. His experience and versatility would be a top-level for any offensive system.
Luis Díaz, the big favorite
Finally, Deco's favorite is Luis Díaz. The Colombian has excelled at Liverpool and would be willing to change scenery. With Salah's renewal, his departure seems more feasible than ever.
Luis Díaz stands out for his energy, dribbling, and ability to make a difference in individual duels. At Barça, they value his work capacity and commitment. He could be the ideal complement to rotate with Raphinha and Lamine.
The final decision hasn't been made, but Barça is clear about the profile they need. Raphinha will remain important, but now he will have real competition. We will have to wait to know which of the three ends up landing at Camp Nou.