Deco in Lisbon as Barcelona ‘to consider’ Benfica’s Pavlidis amid striker search | OneFootball

Deco is in Lisbon as Barcelona step up their search for a centre forward, with Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis among options under review. RAC 1 reported the sporting director’s trip, later confirmed by SPORT.

He is set to hold a series of transfer-market meetings, though the clubs or agents involved are not known. The visit comes at a decisive stage of the window.

Pavlidis is one of several names linked as a potential solution in attack. The Greek is viewed as an alternative for a role expected to open after Robert Lewandowski’s departure, while Sporting’s Luis Suárez has also been mentioned.

That Suárez link is uncertain, with Barcelona sources said to have denied interest after his name was initially reported. It is also unclear whether Deco’s trip is directly tied to Pavlidis or to other targets.

Julián Álvarez remains the priority, but talks with Atlético Madrid are described as blocked. Gil Marín is holding a hard line over a move to Barcelona, despite openness to negotiate with Arsenal. The club plan to keep pushing for the Argentine this week as Deco assesses alternatives in Lisbon.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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