While FC Barcelona believe that certain positions could be reinforced, others are a necessity. For La Blaugrana, the most crucial position to reinforce at the moment remains their pivot role. At the moment, Barcelona have Oriol Romeu as a specialist, and that says a lot.
The Catalan giants can no longer trust the inconsistencies of Romeu to carry them forward. Since the departure of Sergio Busquets in the summer, Barcelona have struggled to replace him. Despite many tactical tweaks, Xavi’s side simply have not found a decent alternative to Busquets.
However, Deco seems to have a plan and name in mind. The Barcelona Director is known for his links connected to the Brazilian market, and it appears that he has found a pivot worth following. According to SPORT, Deco’s answer to Barça’s pivot problems is none other than Douglas Luiz.
A defensive midfielder with great qualities, the 25-year-old is a top player. This season, playing for Aston Villa, the Brazilian has turned a lot of heads in the Premier League. In fact, many who follow the English league closely regard him as the best midfielder alongside the likes of Rodri this season in the country.
His great ball distribution, defensive output, and physical strength all combine to make him a complete player. With his help and winning mentality, Aston Villa have been enjoying a season that has progressed beyond anyone’s expectations of them. For this reason, and possibly others, Deco has become a huge fan.
Having already played in Spain with Girona previously, the player has a good taste of European football. Moreover, being aged just 25, he fits the bill of being a player Barcelona can invest to keep for the long term. With the Catalan giants hoping to invest big in a star for the next five years at the least, Luiz perfectly fits that bill.
While he is currently valued at €60 million, Aston Villa could demand more. As per SPORT, this demand of theirs could possibly even reach the €100 million mark. Despite Barça’s well-documented financial issues, Deco remains clear that he would be a strong option to invest a huge sum in.
FC Barcelona will likely face challenges from other teams, such as Arsenal, for the player’s signature. However, Deco remains active in the market and in terms of keeping contacts with the player and his club. For now, no great advancements have been made but he remains a player definitely worth keeping an eye on.