Deco’s Barcelona plan limits fallout from missed Julian Alvarez deal

Barcelona will end the summer transfer window without signing Julian Alvarez, their main attacking target, but sporting director Deco had prepared alternatives in case Atletico de Madrid refused to sell the Argentina forward.

The late arrival of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus was the final part of a recruitment plan developed by Deco over several months. The move was designed to ensure Barcelona had sufficient cover in the centre-forward position, regardless of what happened in negotiations for Alvarez.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Deco never concealed from those close to him how difficult it would be to prise Alvarez away from Atletico de Madrid. While Barcelona kept the possibility of a deal open, the sporting director worked on other solutions, with England international Anthony Gordon emerging as one of his most attractive options.

Gordon’s usual position is on the wing, but Deco was particularly impressed by his performances as a central striker for Newcastle United last season. The Barcelona sporting director analysed several of the club’s matches and admired the way Gordon adapted to the role.

Deco was also encouraged by the player’s movement and understanding of the position. Gordon’s ability to switch between two different attacking roles without a significant drop-off in his performances was viewed as a major advantage.

The work on a potential deal was conducted in complete secrecy. Deco contacted people close to Gordon and made several trips to London before successfully directing and concluding the move on 27 May.

That meant Barcelona had already secured a fallback option while the wider focus remained on Alvarez’s situation.

Deco considers Gordon to be more than a conventional winger. The sporting director values his ability to cut in from wide areas, attack space and operate effectively when moving into central positions. He is also comfortable dropping deeper to receive the ball and contribute to the build-up.

Gordon’s height provides another option in attack, particularly when Barcelona need a forward capable of contesting crosses and attacking headers. Deco had told people close to him for some time that Gordon could operate either as a winger or as a central striker, depending on what head coach Hansi Flick required.

That versatility was one of the main reasons Barcelona were prepared to pursue the player.

The club also strengthened its position through the emergence of young forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who has shown that he can offer another solution in the same area of the team. Barcelona therefore entered the final weeks of the transfer window knowing it would not have to make a signing simply for the sake of adding another player if the Alvarez deal failed.

The club then completed a surprise move for Gabriel Jesus in the closing hours of the window. Barcelona paid 10m euros for the Brazil striker, who signed a two-year contract with an option to extend it for a further season.

Barcelona regard the deal as an ideal market opportunity. The financial risk is limited, while Jesus could make a significant contribution if he is able to recover his best form. His arrival provides extra support in a position which, for much of the summer, appeared to depend almost entirely on the outcome of the Alvarez negotiations.

Unless there is an unexpected change, Alvarez will remain at Atletico de Madrid for another season. Barcelona were prepared for that outcome well in advance: Gordon was identified by Deco as a player capable of offering more than a wide role, Hamza Abdelkarim established himself as another option, and Gabriel Jesus arrived at the final stage of the window.

Barcelona did not secure their principal target, but Deco had already created a plan to ensure the team would not be dependent solely on Alvarez. That strategy was in place long before the transfer market reached its final hours.