Deco talks Bardghji, Fermin, Casado, Kounde, Inigo, Eric, Christensen, Ferran, Lewandowski | OneFootball

Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed a number of key topics surrounding the squad in a detailed interview with Mundo Deportivo.

The Portuguese executive spoke candidly about players who have recently renewed, those who were linked with exits in the summer, and the club’s long-term planning.

The sporting director discussed the reasoning behind the signing of Roony Bardghji, who arrived this summer despite concerns over a serious injury.

“We had been following Roony for some time. Our idea is not to go to the market if we already have the players at home. But we apply a working criterion, not an emotional one.

“First, we look at what we have. We had Dani Rodríguez for that position, but Dani got injured and he’s a different type of player than Roony.

“The coach and I agreed that we needed a young player for that position. He was a player we were following. He got injured and came back to play in March.

“He hadn’t played much, but he was a talented player and it was a market opportunity. We knew his agent and as he was almost at the end of his contract, it was a simpler operation,” he explained.

On Fermin, Casado and Kounde

Chelsea wanted to sign Fermin Lopez. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

When asked about Fermin Lopez, Deco was very clear despite Chelsea’s summer interest. “We didn’t [consider selling him].

“Selling Fermin would have weakened the team. If he had come to us and said he wanted to leave, we might have considered it, but that didn’t happen.”

There was also speculation around Marc Casado, but Deco dismissed the rumours.

“That only happened with Ansu, with Oriol (Romeu), who is an example as a professional and as a person, with Lenglet, with Pablo (Torre)…

“All of these were sporting decisions. If we receive an offer and the player, for whatever reason, has doubts, then we can talk about it and consider it, but that didn’t happen with Casado.”

On Jules Kounde, who extended his contract during the summer, Deco clarified the Manchester City links.

“No, there was no offer. It’s true that City were looking for a full-back and they asked us if Kounde was on the market, but there was no offer and no negotiations.”

Inigo Martinez and the future of defence

Inigo Martinez left Barcelona for Al-Nassr. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Deco also explained Inigo Martinez’s departure to Saudi Arabia, stating,

“If Inigo were younger and more fundamental to the club’s project, we could have tried to convince him, but he spoke to the coach and told him he had a spectacular opportunity.”

With Inigo leaving, Barcelona currently lack a natural left-footed centre-back. Deco acknowledged it but downplayed the urgency.

“It’s important to have good centre-backs. From there, if they’re left-footed, even better. But we have Eric, who can play anywhere, and Pau Cubarsi, who can do the same.

“If we can find one in the future, yes, but it’s not an obsession, and besides, now is not the time to talk about centre-backs.”

He also touched on ongoing contract talks regarding Eric Garcia. “We want to maintain a salary scale within the club, in line with the market.

“From here, an offer will be made and the player, with his agents, will decide.”

On Andreas Christensen’s future, the sporting director said, “With Andreas, we’re taking it step by step.

“We’ll see how this season goes and then we’ll talk. He’s a great player. We don’t have to renew all the players’ contracts in October either.”

On Ferran and Lewandowski

Barcelona are content with Ferran Torres’ output. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

On Ferran Torres, Deco stated that now is not the time to discuss his contract renewal.

“Ferran is a player who gives us a lot. Not only on the field, but also in the dressing room. He is one of those players who inspires others.

“I think it’s still too early to talk about it. The time will come, but now is not the time.”

He also praised the Spaniard’s versatility and appreciated the fact that he is slowly becoming a permanent number 9.

“Things are shaping up for him to be a striker. He’s becoming a striker. Most of the goals he scores are striker goals.”

Finally, Deco addressed Robert Lewandowski’s future, as the striker’s contract runs out next summer.

“We have to take it slowly and not discuss it publicly. He’s smart enough to know the pace and timing to talk about this when the time is right,” he added.