Kounde, De Jong contracts key to Barcelona stability – Deco

Barcelona sporting director Deco has shed light on key transfer decisions, contract talks with top players, and long-term plans for the goalkeeper position. Dani Olmo’s commitment, Frenkie de Jong’s future, and Joan Garcia’s name are all on the table.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has reflected on the previous summer transfer window, during which Dani Olmo arrived at the club—unlike Nico Williams, who was also part of the plan but ultimately not convinced by a move to the Catalan capital.

“Last season, we had two players in mind to strengthen the squad: Dani Olmo and Nico Williams,” Deco told RAC1. “From the very beginning, Olmo was keen to join us and showed full confidence in the project, which made things easier. Nico didn’t.”

Turning to the current squad, the Portuguese former international spoke about two key figures—Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong—whose contracts are currently under the spotlight.

“Kounde has two years left on his contract. He’s a crucial player for us and always contributes a lot. When you have someone like Lamine on the wing, you need a very defensive full-back—and Kounde gives us that. He never complains and is a great presence in the dressing room.

“As for Frenkie, we shouldn’t blame him for earning what he does. That’s in the past. He’s stepped up and is now performing at the level we expect. He hasn’t been treated fairly. We want Frenkie to be part of our future and will try to reach an agreement with him,” Deco explained.

Regarding potential reinforcements, Deco remained tight-lipped on names, making clear that any arrivals will depend on the coach’s demands. He also noted that he does not expect any players from the current squad to leave.

Lastly, Deco addressed one of the ongoing topics at the club—the future of the goalkeeping position. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny both in their thirties, the club’s scouting team is actively monitoring options for the next one to two years.

One name under consideration across Europe’s top clubs is Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia. Deco acknowledged the interest, stating, “He’s a good goalkeeper.