Laporta talks Deco, Lamine, Ferran, Lewandowski, Eric, summer transfer plans – ‘The sky’s the limit’

In ten days, the voting to elect the brand new president of FC Barcelona will happen, with Joan Laporta and Victor Font rising as the one two remaining candidates.

Laporta, who stepped down as president final month to recontest within the elections, has the overwhelming help of the locker room, supervisor Hansi Flick, and sporting director Deco.

Forward of the upcoming elections, the 63-year-old sat down for an unique interview with Mundo Deportivo, throughout which he not solely criticised his opponent, Victor Font, but in addition gave an perception into the squad planning for the longer term.

On the summer season switch plans

One of many major targets for Barcelona heading into the summer season window is known to be the signing of a brand new centre-forward.

In any case, Robert Lewandowski’s contract expires on the finish of the season, and Ferran Torres’ kind has taken successful in 2026.

Nonetheless, Laporta, whereas admitting that Barça have the capability to signal any participant they need to, said they’ve full religion in Ferran and Lewandowski.

“First, clearly, Barça can signal gamers, and we’ve two nice centre-forwards, Ferran and Lewandowski, and I’m delighted with each of them,” he stated.

The ex-president then elaborated how the squad has different gamers like Dani Olmo and Marcus Rashford who can play as a No. 9, saying:

“Then there are different gamers who may play in that place: Olmo, Rashford, Lamine Yamal as properly, since he generally turns into versatile within the ahead positions.”

On the monetary facet of issues, he added: “Relating to funds, on the subject of making an adjustment in any place that represents an funding in a participant, whether or not it’s a centre-forward, midfielder, defender, or goalkeeper, Barça has the capability to do it.”

“Whether or not it must be finished is one other matter. No person forces us; signing gamers isn’t an obligation. Clearly, if we see a chance available in the market that Deco thinks could possibly be attention-grabbing and would enhance the squad, Deco will suggest it to us, and we’ll resolve.”

On Deco

Laporta then went on to reward the work finished by Deco since taking up as sporting director in 2023, specifically highlighting his efforts to safe strategic renewals of virtually the complete core of the squad.

“We’re very glad with the work Deco has finished. He’s constructed a unprecedented squad. He’s managed to resume the contracts of each one in all our younger gamers. That was a monumental activity,” he stated.

“I’m extremely grateful, as a result of we’ve all these gamers renewed till at the least 2030. Cubarsi, Bernal, Pedri, Lamine, Fermin, Olmo, Casado, Balde, Araujo, Gerard Martin, Kounde, Eric Garcia, who we’ll quickly have obtainable and who’s vital with the 2 slots we’ve at full-back, given his versatility….”

“In brief, Deco has constructed a squad and renewed their contracts. This squad has each a gift and a future. Financially, in these three years that Deco has been performing the duties of sporting director so excellently, the outcomes have been constructive,” he added.

We Laminate Yamal

Laporta additionally went on to wax lyrical over Lamine Yamal when it was identified to him how he had made Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi the staff’s No. 10s in his first two presidential tenures, earlier than taking the identical route with the teenage sensation in his third run.

“The sky. ‘The sky is the restrict’, they are saying, proper? On daily basis it surprises us with one thing new,” stated Laporta.

Persevering with, he added: “The opposite day, on the alternative facet from the place he usually performs, when he took the nook and made that play, which gave us the primary purpose in opposition to Atletico, which is the one I bear in mind most not too long ago, it was spectacular.

“The purpose he scored in opposition to Villarreal was stunning, unbelievable….”

On being reminded of Lamine’s purpose in opposition to Espanyol final season, which sealed the La Liga title for Barça, Laporta as soon as once more showered the 18-year-old with reward, saying:

“That additionally gave us the league title mathematically, didn’t it? Look, he’s an ideal participant and we’ve him at Barça. He’s a participant who has been educated, who has been taken care of, who has been introduced up at La Masia.

“What’s extra, he’s a dedicated participant with a maturity past his years. We’re delighted with Lamine Yamal and everybody round him, and the reality is that the staff is a gaggle of people who find themselves an actual treasure.”