How Deco got ahead of Atlético's no over Álvarez at Barça

How Deco got ahead of Atlético's no over Álvarez at Barça Barça will close the transfer window without Julián Álvarez, the club’s main target of the season, but with the feeling that it has found enough solutions to fill the center-forward position. According to a report by the newspaper Sport, the late arrival of Gabriel Jesus was the final piece of a plan Deco had been working on for months, preparing precisely for the scenario that ultimately came true: the Argentine not coming. The sporting director never hid from those closest to him how difficult it would be to take Julián away from Atlético de Madrid. So, while Barça kept that possibility alive, Deco was working on parallel alternatives, long before the talks for Álvarez heated up in the media. That was when a name emerged that seemed especially appealing to him: Anthony Gordon. Although his natural position is on the wing, the sporting director was positively surprised last season when analyzing several Newcastle matches in which Gordon played as a center-forward. He really liked the way he interpreted the role, his mobility, and, above all, how easily the player was able to adapt to two different functions without losing performance. From that point on, work began under absolute secrecy. Deco got in touch with the player’s entourage and made several trips to London until he was able to move forward with a deal that was completed on May 27. While much of the public’s attention was focused on Julián Álvarez, Barça had already secured its alternative. According to Sport, Deco is a huge admirer of the English player’s qualities. He likes his ability to attack down the wings and exploit space, but also the way he positions himself when playing centrally and how easily he drops deep to receive the ball and take part in the build-up. His height also allows him to offer qualities as a finisher. The sporting director had been conveying a very clear idea to the people around him: Gordon could play both as a winger and as a center-forward, depending on coach Flick’s needs. It was precisely that versatility that was one of the strongest arguments behind the club’s decision to bet on his signing. With that, Barça protected itself against any negative outcome regarding Julián Álvarez. Added to that was the rise of young Hamza Abdelkarim, who showed he could be another option for the attacking department. The club reached the final weeks of the market knowing that, even if the window’s big deal did not happen, it would not be desperate to sign just anyone. Gabriel Jesus, Deco’s final ace up his sleeve Even after signing Gordon, Sport reported that, for Deco, there was still room for one more move in the market. And that move was precisely the signing of Gabriel Jesus for ten million euros, right at the end of the window in Spain. A Palmeiras academy product, the Brazilian signed a two-season contract, with an option to renew for one more, in a deal Barça considered an excellent market opportunity. The financial risk is low and, if the forward regains his best level, the technical return could be enormous. So, what did you think of Barça’s transfer window? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.