RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Hansi Flick personally rejected Barcelona move for Atletico Madrid-bound defender – Romano
Barcelona have had quite an active summer transfer window so far, bringing in the likes of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.
The Catalan club are also in negotiations to sign Rodri from Manchester City in what will be a ceiling-raising addition to Hansi Flick’s squad.
Meanwhile, there have also been players who have left the club this summer, with Ronald Araujo securing a loan move to Liverpool.
This has opened up a slot in central defence that Flick could choose to fill with a signing or by promoting someone like Alvaro Cortes from within.
One player who had offered himself to Barça was Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, but the club chose not to pursue a move for him.
The 2022 World Cup winner is now on his way to Atletico Madrid, where he will get to play under Diego Simeone.
According to Fabrizio Romano , the decision not to pursue the Argentina international was made by Barcelona’s sporting department after discussions with Flick.
Barcelona were never interested in Cristian Romero. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Romano insists the interest was never concrete. Barcelona discussed the possibility internally, but Flick ultimately did not approve the operation.
The German coach was not convinced that signing Romero was the right move for his squad, and the sporting department shared that assessment.
It could be a stylistic decision as the Argentine is not too dissimilar from Araujo, who did not prove to be a great fit for Hansi Flick’s system.
It also seems quite evident that the German manager wants a naturally left-footed defender in that position, and Romero is not that.
Barça have Lukeba and Laporte on their radar
Barcelona have been tipped to re-emerge as contenders to sign Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig this summer.
The Frenchman is naturally left-footed and adept at covering at left-back if needed. His physicality offers something different to the existing central defensive options in the squad.
Meanwhile, Athletic Club defender Aymeric Laporte has also been offered to the club, but Barça are being very cautious with the 32-year-old.
Romero is close to signing for Atletico Madrid. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The Catalan club will consider a move for Laporte only if all the terms are crystal clear due to their poor relationship with the Basque club.
Hansi Flick calls the shots
The decision also underlines the influence Flick has over Barcelona’s recruitment.
Deco and the sporting department may identify potential opportunities, but the coach’s assessment of how a player fits his system remains an important part of the process.
In Romero’s case, the answer was ultimately no.
Barça have had a clear plan of only making signings who would fit into the system this summer, and that is a very healthy way of operating in the market.
Flick may have said no to Romero, but it remains to be seen whether he asks for another central defender or decides to trust Cortes this upcoming season.
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