Barcelona sporting director Deco has travelled to Portugal as the club continues its search for a centre-forward before the summer transfer window closes.
The journey was reported on Friday by RAC1 and Sport, although it remains unclear who Deco intends to meet during his trip. Barcelona are understood to have identified two possible targets from Portuguese clubs: Sporting forward Luis Suarez and Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis.
The Catalan club had hoped to sign Julian Alvarez, but that move has not been completed. Barcelona have therefore turned their attention to alternative options as they seek to strengthen the centre-forward position before the transfer window shuts.
No details have been given about the purpose of Deco’s meetings in Portugal, or whether discussions with Sporting or Benfica have already taken place. However, the sporting director’s presence in the country comes as Barcelona assess possible solutions to a position the club still wants to address.
Suarez, who plays for Sporting, is one of the forwards being linked with Barcelona. The other is Pavlidis, the Benfica striker. Both players are under consideration as Barcelona look beyond Alvarez.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick previously expressed confidence that Deco would resolve the club’s need for a striker. The German manager’s comments came as the club continued to work towards adding a centre-forward before the end of the summer window.
The failure to complete a deal for Alvarez has prompted Barcelona to focus on other candidates, with Suarez and Pavlidis now among the names associated with the Spanish club. Deco’s trip to Portugal suggests the search remains active, although the identity of his intended contacts and the next stage of the negotiations have not been disclosed.
For now, Barcelona’s priority is unchanged: to sign a central striker before the deadline. The club’s attention has shifted from Alvarez to targets in Portugal, while Deco’s visit could provide the next indication of how Barcelona plan to complete the deal.
