Barcelona fully trust Deco ahead of decisive summer with 1:1 rule back in play
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After enjoying a brief break with the Barça Legends a few weeks ago, sporting director Deco returned to Barcelona to continue planning the squad for next season.
The Portuguese executive is shaping up to be one of the club’s most important figures this summer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to AS, for the first time since taking charge of Barcelona’s sporting department, Deco is expected to operate under La Liga’s long-awaited 1:1 financial rule, giving the club significantly greater flexibility in the market.
And, inside the club, there is considerable confidence in Deco’s work heading into what promises to be a crucial summer. He has earned the full trust of Joan Laporta and the board.
Money to spend
As per the report, Barcelona are expected to have well over €100 million available for transfers, not including any income generated through player sales.
One of the priorities is signing a new centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona have not abandoned their interest in Julian Alvarez.
Barcelona’s priority target. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementClub officials are aware that any negotiations with Atletico Madrid will be difficult and lengthy, but Deco continues to keep alternative options in reserve should the Argentine become unattainable.
Early business already completed
Deco has already secured the signing of Anthony Gordon in a deal worth €70 million plus a further €10 million in add-ons, beating competition from clubs such as Bayern Munich.
Another move saw Barcelona decide to pay €1.5 million to make Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim’s transfer permanent.
On the outgoing side, several operations are close to completion. Inaki Pena is expected to join Panathinaikos, while Ansu Fati is also heading towards a permanent exit. Diego Kochen is set to leave on loan to Danish side Lyngby.
Full confidence in Deco
Within Barcelona, there is total trust and confidence in Deco’s work following the last two summer windows.
Last year, he addressed the goalkeeping situation by signing Joan Garcia for €25 million, who has gone on to become a crucial player. He also secured Marcus Rashford on loan, with the Englishman producing impressive numbers despite not always being a regular starter.
Barcelona are very happy with Deco. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Deco also brought in Roony Bardghji for a modest fee, with the youngster potentially leaving on loan or permanently this summer to continue his development.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDuring his first summer in charge, he completed the signings of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, moves that are also viewed positively within the club.
One of the biggest reasons behind Deco’s growing reputation is his ability to combine sporting competitiveness with financial sustainability.
Across the last two summers, Barça managed to generate a positive balance through sales, loan fees and percentages from future transfers, all while strengthening the squad and securing renewals for the core of the team.
A defining summer for the Flick project
With Barcelona finally able to operate under more normal financial conditions, Deco has a unique opportunity to elevate Flick’s project to another level.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter winning major honours over the last two seasons, the club’s ambition is to defend those titles and, above all, mount a serious challenge for the Champions League.
The pressure will be considerable, but with greater financial freedom and growing confidence in the sporting department, this summer could prove decisive in shaping Barcelona’s next era.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
