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Barcelona chief Deco admits January signings are unlikely

Barcelona chief Deco admits January signings are unlikely
© Reuters
Barcelona sporting director Deco admits that "it will be difficult" for his side to make any signings during the January transfer window.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has conceded that "it will be difficult" for the Catalan outfit to make any signings during the January transfer window.

Despite their financial problems, the La Liga champions managed to bring in five new players over the summer market, with Oriol Romeu arriving from Girona, while Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez moved to Camp Nou on free transfers.

Barcelona also secured loan deals for Manchester City's Joao Cancelo and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix in the closing stages of the summer window.

There have been suggestions that the Catalan side's head coach Xavi has identified central midfield as an area in need of a boost when the winter market opens for business.

However, Deco has admitted that any January arrivals are unlikely due to the club's financial situation.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on September 3, 2023© Reuters

"It will be difficult to sign anyone in January," Deco told Mundo Deportivo. "We are always ready in case an opportunity presents itself, but I don't think it will be possible."

Barcelona do have a deal in place to sign Athletico Paranaense teenager Vitor Roque, although Deco has claimed that a mid-season move for the attacker is not certain.

"It doesn't solely depend on the efforts of the club," he added. "There is a part that does, but there is also a part that doesn't.

"Vitor is a player we have signed for the present and the future. We really believe in him, but we will have to see what we can do. We have to wait and see how we can manage things. If it's not now, it will be in July."

Athletico Paranaense's Vitor Roque celebrates scoring their first goal on July 2, 2022© Reuters

Roque, 18, has scored 27 goals and registered 11 assists in 78 appearances for his current side in all competitions, and Barcelona allegedly beat a host of the major European clubs to his signature.

The La Liga team's desire to sign the teenager in January rather than July is down to the fact that Xavi currently has limited options in the final third of the field.

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are all currently on the sidelines through injury, which will be a concern ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are also out, but the club are hopeful that there will be a number of returns for El Clasico with Real Madrid on October 28.

Barcelona remain unbeaten during a strong start to the campaign, although they were held to a 2-2 draw by Granada before the international break.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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