Deco opens up on why Barcelona ended pursuit of German defender – ‘We went for him because…’ | OneFootball

Barcelona have been carefully planning their transfer strategy for next year, looking at possible signings well in advance.

One player who has caught their attention is Jonathan Tah, a German centre-back whose contract will expire at the end of this season, making him one of the most sought-after players in the market.

His current contract situation has led to speculation, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both reportedly interested in signing him. However, Tah has yet to make a decision about his future.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, shared insights into the club’s thinking regarding Tah.

He confirmed that the defender was a target for Barcelona during the summer transfer window, but things have changed since then.

What has changed at Barcelona?

Barcelona were monitoring Jonathan Tah last summer. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Initially, Barcelona attempted to sign Tah in the summer. With his contract running out in 2025, there were questions about whether he would become a key target for the club.

However, as Deco explained, the dynamics within the squad have shifted. Sometimes, the needs of a team can drive decisions, but those needs can change over the course of the season.

“The dynamics in a squad change. There are moments when you think one thing because the need generates it, but then, during the season, things happen because in football a year, although it seems little, is a lot of things.”

Currently, Barcelona’s defence includes players like Ronald Araujo, who is set to return from injury, along with Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, and Inigo Martinez.

“In this case, we are not planning any signings now. We have Araujo, who will return, Christensen, Eric, Cubarsi and Inigo.

“The time will come when we will plan what we are going to do in the future, but we are not going to make a decision now.”

Why was he a target?

Barcelona decided not to move for Tah. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

At the time when Tah was initially targeted, injuries had left the squad with fewer options, prompting Barcelona to explore other alternatives.

“At the time we went for him because Bernal’s injury meant that Eric, a central midfielder, had to go up to play as a pivot as we had almost none.

“Casado was more of an ‘8’ than a ‘6’, Gavi had not returned from his injury and all this conditioned a decision of the moment.”

However, with things now stabilising, the club is not in a rush to make any new moves, and will instead reassess their needs when the time is right.

“But the decisions of the moment, if you can’t make them, you don’t have to make them next year. Dynamics change and today we are happy with what we have,” he added.