Barça is moving in the market in search of the best pieces to reinforce the squad. Fashionable number 9 Viktor Gyökeres has already given his approval to Deco.
He is Swedish, 26 years old, plays for Sporting Club de Portugal and is the most popular striker in European soccer this season.
24 Goals and 4 Assists in 19 Games
This season he's scored 24 goals and provided 4 assists to his teammates in just 19 games played.
Deco has contacted him, taking advantage of his entry into Portuguese soccer. After all, such a league, along with Brazilian soccer, are his speciality. Joan Laporta has given him full powers to negotiate.
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He's already met twice with members of the HCM Sports agency, which handles the player's affairs. The initial willingess has been favorable.
Ferran Torres's Role
Sporting has valued his departure at 100 million euros. Barça, however, has arguments to lower the figure by offering Ferran Torres in exchange, who is well regarded in Portugal.
The price could be 70 million: an affordable figure, although it is still exorbitant for Barça at the moment.
Nike is also involved in the operation. Gyökeres is part of the group of VIP athletes contracted by the Atlanta brand. Nike is very interested in having him wear the colors of its star club in the world.
What about Robert Lewandowski?
Deco has a deal, although it may seem contradictory considering Robert Lewandowski's excellent shape.
Lewandowski's contract terminates in 2026. Still, he can be unilaterally released next summer if he doesn't play 55% of the games. This is not going to happen, though.
His contract would be renewed for another year, until 2026, with the option of continuing until 2027 if his performance remains within similar parameters to the current one.
The Formula Proposed by Barça
In the coming weeks, Barça will try to close the transfer of Gyökeres for 70 million euros. The idea is to leave him on loan for a year at Sporting and incorporate him into their squad in summer 2026.
By then, Lewandowski will either be gone or will be in his final season at 39. This suggests that his performance cannot be exceptional by then, in theory.
That's where Gyökeres comes in. He is on his way to becoming the top scorer in European soccer in the coming years.
However, Barça is not alone in the race for the Swedish player. Manchester United has the advantage. Their new coach is Rúben Amorim, the man who discovered Gyökeres and led him to reach his highest level.
Flick Doesn't Want Him for Next Season
Manchester City could also enter the bidding if Haaland finally decides to leave the club at the end of the season. Only in this case, however. In addition, the arrival at the Etihad Stadium of Hugo Viana, former sporting director of Sporting, would complicate things for Barça.
The deal has already been proposed to Hansi Flick, who will approve it if the Swedish player doesn't join Barcelona next season. He trusts Lewandowski and doesn't need to look for competition.
It was his idea to loan him out for a season before his definitive incorporation into the Barcelona first team.
The transfer is brewing slowly and its outcome is very close.