Zubimendi signing not generating consensus across the board at Barça
Various reasons mean Deco is not as sold on going all out for the midfielder as Xavi
The planning game is clearly being played in midfield and the arrival of Deco as the new sporting director could change some of the approaches desired by the coach, Xavi Hernández, who has been supported unwaveringly by Deco's predecessor, Jordi Cruyff.
Now the criteria has changed, although both Deco and Xavi are very clear that, if possible, the midfield should be reinforced with one or two players. However, the names do not coincide with each other because the possibility of investment that the club has is low and Deco must be very careful with what he signs or can sign.
The first reinforcement that could be ready this week is Ilkay Gundogan. It is true that the German international gave Barça the OK weeks ago, but his current lack of clarity has set off all the alarm bells. In principle, he should come, Xavi wants him whatever, but for the sporting management a 'no' from Gundogan would not be a very big setback. Because Deco is very clear that if there is one position that is well covered, it is that of iinterior.
Bringing in Gundogan would mean adding quality and more competition, but without him there would also be Pedri, Gavi, De Jong and even Kessié, a player that the current members of the sporting department like a lot and who will not be sold off underpriced.
From there, it will be necessary to see if there are enough resources to sign a midfielder to play in front of the defence to replace the outgoing Sergio Busquets. Xavi has been fighting for months for Barça to invest the money necessary to bring Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi to Camp Nou. Whatever it takes.
And, here, the new sporting management have many doubts. Because of the player's age, because his price is very high and because Barça would have to bet everything on this player to the detriment of other positions. Too many doubts to tackle an operation that could be done later.
Deco has listened to Xavi and will try to bring him in if the money is there, but he is not too enthusiastic. In fact, the ex-footballer has been looking for similar profiles with a much lower price than Zubimendi. At the moment, it is impossible to afford this signing or that of a world-class pivot because Barça don't have the spending room, although a lot of things can happen between now and 31 August.
In fact, at the last meeting, it was agreed to make a final bid for the La Real player and that will be done when they can, but they are not going to lose their heads, far from it. Deco believes it is more important to keep important players than to sign them. And that is what he is doing.
