The position of Raphinha’s agent is being fundamental to stop the momentum of the great English clubs
The signing by Barça of the Leeds United winger is only feasible due to the presence of Deco in the operation
“If Deco wasn’t Raphinha’s agent, he would have already signed for Liverpool or Chelsea.” The phrase of someone who knows the details of Barça’s contacts to take over the services of the Leeds United star shows the relevance of the former Barça player in the possible arrival at the Camp Nou of the gaucho winger.
Without the presence of Deco, the Canarinho international would hardly have waited for Barça and, currently, he would already have a closed agreement with one of the ‘Big Six’ of the Premiermainly, the Liverpool, of Jürgen Klopp, or the Chelsea, of Thomas Tuchel that are the ones that have tightened the most (and tighten).
Months ago, Deco gave his word to Joan Laporta and Mateu Alemany that he would block his pupil and that he would wait for Barça while there was a chance that the transfer would take place. And the footballer has remained firm even in the weeks in which his possible hiring has navigated through limbo due to the current financial moment of the Catalan club.
DECO’S WINNING STRATEGY
Undaunted, Deco waited for the technical secretariat and Xavi Hernández to approve the incorporation of ‘Rapha’ and, later, patiently, he watched the development of the Dembélé soap opera, which could act as a stopper for the Brazilian’s arrival.
Deco did his agent job. Since March, as SPORT advanced, he has a closed salary agreement and, at the same time, he began contacts with Leeds United exposing the footballer’s wish to be transferred to Barça.
The former Blaugrana left everything on the right track so that Mateu Alemany could take action and negotiate a price in accordance with the current financial reality of the Catalan club. Others would not have wanted to know anything about the assembly and the approval of the financial levers necessary for Barça to go to the market.
THE INSISTENCE OF CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL
In recent months, Deco has had to fight against the attacks of the English: Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea… that have been presented with unattainable offers for Barça, both in relation to the value of the transfer (some clubs accept the 65 million requested by Leeds), and the card offered to the Brazilian.
Chelsea, where Deco played after his successful time at the Camp Nou, placed Raphinha as their main option (even ahead of Dembélé) to reinforce the right winger. Despite the turbulence generated by the change of owners, the pressure that Raphinha’s agent has had to deal with has been suffocating.
It is a similar scenario with what happens with Liverpool. Klopp still wants ‘Rapha’ to be the substitute for Mané, who has been transferred to Bayern. The addition of Darwin Nunez hasn’t dampened the Reds’ appetite. Deco keeps the offer from Anfield Road on his table.
In the case of United, it is known that Erik ten Hag wants to surround himself with the praetorian guard he had at Ajax, one of his main targets is Frenkie De Jong. For this reason, his first choice for the right winger is the Brazilian Antony, however, Deco has received several calls from Old Trafford asking about Raphinha’s situation and his willingness to sign.
For money, for agility and speed in the operation, for the certainty of five months for the World Cup in Qatar, where she will play as a starter, Raphinha could already have her future resolved today for the next season, but he agrees, thanks to Deco, to play for Barcelona.
