Daijiworld Media Network - Barcelona

Barcelona, Jan 30: Barcelona sporting director Deco has shed light on the club’s decision not to pursue the signing of highly-rated Brazilian winger Estevao Willian, despite closely monitoring his progress during his rise at Palmeiras.

Estevao, regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, had been on Barcelona’s radar for some time, with the club receiving consistently positive reports about his development. However, Barcelona ultimately chose not to make a serious move, and in 2024, Chelsea secured the winger for a fixed fee of €34 million, with an additional €23 million tied to performance-based add-ons.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Deco pointed to Barcelona’s squad composition and priorities. He said the club already has a player with similar characteristics in the same position, referring to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

“There are several reasons. First, in the construction phase we are in, we have a player for the same position with similar characteristics named Lamine Yamal. It’s obvious,” Deco said.

While acknowledging that top players can adapt and play together, Deco stressed that strengthening that position was not a priority for Barcelona at the time. “Can they play together? Yes, great players always adapt. The problem is that our priorities were not to strengthen that position,” he explained.

Deco also highlighted the financial realities influencing transfer decisions, noting that investing heavily in a similar profile could have impacted the club’s ability to address other areas. “If you have money to spend and you invest it in a player with the same characteristics, then you can’t complain that you don’t have enough players for other positions,” he said.

Dismissing any suggestion that the decision reflected doubts about Estevao’s ability, Deco clarified that it was largely about timing and the club’s situation. “It’s a question of timing and Barcelona’s current situation, which meant they had to make other decisions, and this wasn’t one of them,” he said.

He also hinted that tactical factors played a role, suggesting the outcome might have been different if the player’s profile varied slightly. “Perhaps if Estevao were a right-footed player who played on the other side, the solution would be there, but that was not the case. He is a player very similar to Lamine, although with different characteristics,” Deco added.

Reaffirming Barcelona’s stance, Deco concluded that the decision was about maintaining balance within the squad rather than questioning talent. “He and Lamine are two great players, but at that moment, that wasn’t the decision. It has nothing to do with quality, but rather with Barça’s need to strengthen the team at that moment,” he said.