Barcelona have ruled out signing a new centre-back this summer, with Hansi Flick happy with the existing defensive options.
According to Diario SPORT, the club will not bring in a new defender unless one of their current centre-backs leaves first, which seems unlikely at this stage.
Deco's focus has shifted to strengthening the wings, with Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi already signed. The priority now is to sign a centre-forward, with Julian Alvarez the main target.
This leaves little room for another central defender in a squad that already boasts five options, including Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and promising reserve defender Alvaro Cortes.
Cubarsi, fresh off being named the best young player at the World Cup, is a guaranteed starter, with Martin having established himself alongside him after converting from full-back. Flick rates the pairing highly, and Barcelona have made clear they want to retain Martin despite interest from Chelsea and AC Milan.
The one name that could yet alter Barcelona's plans is Ronald Araujo, whose future remains slightly uncertain. Araujo endured a difficult campaign last season and is now the fifth-choice centre-back, though he is determined to fight for his place and has a contract until 2031.
His name consistently crops up whenever potential departures are discussed. Should Araujo have a change of heart and decide his reduced role is not for him, a transfer request could follow.
In that scenario, Barcelona would almost certainly be forced back into the market for a replacement. For now, though, he is training with enthusiasm at St George's Park having recovered from a calf injury, and a new centre-back arrival looks improbable.
Barcelona's decision not to sign a new centre-back this summer may raise eyebrows given the club's defensive concerns. However, the squad's existing options have given Flick confidence in their abilities.
The centre-back position has been a topic of discussion throughout the summer, with several promising centre-backs, including Josko Gvardiol, Alessandro Bastoni, Cristian Romero, and Aymeric Laporte, being offered to Barcelona. Despite this, Flick remains happy with his current options.
The club's priorities have shifted towards signing a centre-forward, with Julian Alvarez the main target. With Deco's focus on strengthening the wings and the existing defensive options in place, it seems unlikely that a new centre-back will be signed this summer.
The only potential change to Barcelona's plans could come if Ronald Araujo decides to leave the club. His future remains uncertain, but a transfer request from Araujo could force Barcelona's hand and lead to a new centre-back arrival.
Source: Yahoo Sports
