Deco on €35 million-rated Barcelona wonderkid’s future: “He has a contract with us”

Earlier today, FC Barcelona confirmed the appointment of Deco as their new sporting director, while also announcing the departure of Mateu Alemany once the transfer window closes.

The former Portugal international will be the man in charge of all the transfer operations at the club moving forward and will have great power in the recruitment decisions.

As such, the 45-year-old was recently quizzed about the future of Ansu Fati, who is being linked with an exit this summer.

The 20-year-old La Masia graduate, whose market value stands at €35 million, is said to be on the transfer list this summer. And after having refused to leave so far, he is now understood to have changed his stance and is open to an exit.

Deco was asked about Fati’s future and whether he will remain at the club beyond the summer, to which he responded (h/t Jijantes): “He is a Barça player, and he has a contract with us.”

Deco answered more questions during his brief interaction with the media, one of which was regarding Barcelona’s pursuit of Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo.

When asked if the Portuguese international was a priority for the club, the new sporting director said: “I won’t talk about transfers.”

On the departure of Alemany, Deco claimed that there were no differences between the pair and they will continue to work together until the transfer window closes.

“We are not incompatible. He already communicated it and has his own professional things… We will be working together until the end of the market,” the former midfielder said.

When asked whether he is now a powerful person within the club, Deco replied: “I’m not powerful, the club is.”

Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.