Deco confirms Barcelona transfer priorities for summer of 2026

Barcelona Director of Football Deco has outlined the club’s recruitment focus for the summer of 2026, identifying central defence and the centre-forward position as the two areas that will command most attention once the window opens. Speaking to Sport, the Brazilian acknowledged that the club’s exact spending power remains unclear until LaLiga’s financial audit is completed, meaning the board may again need bank guarantees to register new signings.

The Blaugrana have been linked with reinforcements at both ends of the pitch. Veteran stopper Iñigo Martínez’s unexpected departure last summer left Hansi Flick short of left-sided cover, forcing the German to field academy graduate Gerard Martín in makeshift roles. Up front, Robert Lewandowski’s contract is due to expire, placing the long-term future of the club’s record signing under scrutiny.

Asked whether Barça will target a like-for-like replacement for the Polish striker, Deco cautioned against a narrow search. “We shouldn’t get obsessed with any one striker because the team is doing well. We have Ferran and Rashford; we’ll see what we can do to make decisions,” he said. “If we’re talking about the best striker, the best number 9 of the last ten years, it’s been Robert. There’s no one like him. It’s not easy to go to the market and look for someone like Robert because teams tend to go for other types of strikers.”

Julian Álvarez has emerged as the most frequently mentioned name in Catalan media, though Deco refused to be drawn on specific targets, emphasising instead the profile the club values: “technical ability, the capacity to link up with teammates, and the ability to find solutions.”

Marcus Rashford’s status was also addressed. Barcelona hold a €30 million purchase option after a season-long loan from Manchester United and have already informed the Premier League side of their intention to trigger the clause, pending a possible renegotiation. “He’s a footballer who has played at a very high level, with enormous demands at a club like Manchester United,” Deco said. “He took a pay cut to make it happen… we’re very happy about that. He’s a player who contributes a lot to the team.”

Ferran Torres, out of contract in 2027, represents an internal solution, yet his long-term role is undecided. Deco praised the Spain international’s attitude and output—“he’s a player we value highly; he’s a player we want to keep”—but stopped short of guaranteeing an extension, citing LaLiga’s financial regulations and the need to balance squad planning with wage structure.

With four months of football described by Deco as “an eternity,” the sporting director conceded that priorities could shift, but for now the roadmap is set: shore up the back line and secure a sustainable succession plan at centre-forward as Barcelona prepare for life after Lewandowski.