Deco arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday evening.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who claim that the former Portuguese international and Barcelona midfielder is in Spain to close an agreement between the club and Raphinha, his client.
Barcelona want to lock down a five-year contract with the Brazilian winger but it’s thought the deal is dependent on Ousmane Dembele’s future.
Dembele’s contract with Barcelona expires at the end of this season but the Frenchman could yet stay at Camp Nou. If he does, it makes Barcelona’s move for Raphinha unlikely.
Raphinha joined Leeds United in the summer of 2020 and has proven himself to be one of the most decisive players in the Premier League. He’s been capped seven times by Brazil.
And in an agent like Deco he has someone who knows Barcelona and Spanish football well. Born in Brazil, the 44-year-old earned 75 caps for Portugal and spent four years at Barcelona.
After retirement he founded D20 Sports, a sports agency.
Deco has arrived in Barcelona to seal the signing of Raphinha, per @sport.
Barça looking to tie him down to 5-year contract. The negotiations are advanced — but the renewal of Ousmane Dembélé’s contract would, in theory, put the deal to a halt.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) April 5, 2022
The renewal of Dembele should not stop the signing of Raphinha.
We need experience players on the bench.
We need wingers that can change a game in our favour