Barcelona sporting director Deco has firmly denied reports that he travelled to London to meet with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, while acknowledging the mammoth task of replacing Robert Lewandowski this summer. The Polish striker recently departed Camp Nou after securing seven trophies in three seasons, leaving a substantial gap in the Blaugrana attack that the club must urgently address.
When pressed about the alleged meeting with the Brazilian winger, Deco was unambiguous. "I didn't go to see Joao Pedro; you are all mistaken," he told ESPN, though he stopped short of revealing the club's actual shortlist. The denial came after reports suggested the sporting director had journeyed to the English capital to negotiate with the Chelsea player's representatives ahead of the transfer window.
The Lewandowski Void
Deco's candid assessment of Barcelona's recruitment challenge underscores the magnitude of Lewandowski's influence at the club. Since arriving in 2022, the forward contributed decisively to three La Liga titles and claimed multiple domestic cup honors. His final appearance at Camp Nou—a 3-1 victory over Real Betis—drew an emotional standing ovation from supporters and club officials who presented him with a commemorative trophy.
"It is almost impossible to replace Robert, the best forward of recent years," Deco explained. "Robert is already part of the Barca crest, and we will always be grateful to him. Thanks to him, we achieved credibility at a sporting level." The former midfielder noted that Ferran Torres transitioned from winger to central striker, suggesting the club may consider unconventional solutions to fill the void.
Targets and Competition
While Deco dismissed the Joao Pedro speculation, Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez remains linked with a switch to Catalonia. However, competing interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain complicates any potential deal for the Argentine talent. The sporting director maintained a measured approach on all candidates: "We are not ruling out or signing anyone. We are talking about it."
With Valencia awaiting Barcelona in the final La Liga fixture, the focus now shifts toward summer recruitment. Under Hansi Flick, the club harbors Champions League ambitions for the 2025-26 season, making the acquisition of a prolific number nine a priority to maintain competitive standards across all competitions.
