Deco reveals Barcelona's THREE transfer priorities for 2024

Cameron Smith

7 Nov 2023 18:53 GMT
3 min read

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco has revealed the Spanish giants will look to sign a defensive midfielder, a left-back and a right-back in 2024, as they look to bolster Xavi’s squad.

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The Blaugrana have been hamstrung by their financial woes in recent years, and have therefore been forced to utilise the free transfer market on multiple occasions.

This may be the case in 2024 yet again, but Deco has told SPORT that defensive midfield and both full-back positions are in need of reinforcements next year.

The Blaugrana signed Oriol Romeu from Girona this summer, but the veteran Spaniard is not a long-term solution and he has endured a mixed start to life at Camp Nou.

Furthermore, Joao Cancelo is only at the club on loan and while Manchester City will likely let him leave permanently in 2024, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona are able to match the Portuguese star’s asking price.

In addition, Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso are set to become free agents next summer, and FootballTransfers understand that Alonso is being monitored by Atletico Madrid ahead of a possible Bosman move.

Sport have reported that Barcelona are not willing to spend big on signing new full-backs and they will look to utilise the free agent market to achieve their goals, while promoting La Masia graduates is also an option.

Gabriel Moscardo is reportedly the outstanding candidate to become Barcelona’s new defensive midfielder, but he is likely to cost a fair amount given that Chelsea and other elite European teams have also previously expressed interest in signing him.

Alonso to Atletico Madrid?

Marcos Alonso is in talks with Atletico Madrid over a move in 2024, FootballTransfers can reveal.

We are told that Atletico have shown an interest in the former Chelsea player and are willing to offer a year’s deal.

Despite Barcelona having the option to extend his contract, Alonso's performance has left them feeling reluctant.

Although Alonso's current contract with Barcelona runs until the end of the season, it appears that the club is leaning towards not exercising their option to extend it, while the final decision is expected to be made after the January transfer window closes in a few months.

Even if Barcelona wished to retain him, Alonso would likely need to accept a significant reduction in his salary.