Barcelona Still Hunting for a Striker to Replace Lewandowski

The Joan Gamper Trophy is already in the rearview mirror, but Barcelona still has some fine print to sort out in the transfer market. Deco stood before the microphones and left one thing clear: the club is still after a center forward, even though it just wrapped up one of the summer's most talked about signings, that of Rodri.

The Barcelona sporting director did not dodge the question that keeps circling around the Ciutat Esportiva: who replaces Robert Lewandowski? That is the real issue. Ferran Torres left too, sure, but Deco believes that departure can be covered with what's already in the squad. Lewandowski's is a different story.

Two players like Ferran and Robert (Lewandowski) have left. We can make up for Ferran's role with the new signings, but Robert's is very difficultDeco

The Portuguese executive went further, explaining why finding a replacement isn't so simple, even if an attractive name pops up on the market. Lewandowski left a mark that can't be papered over with just any forward.

Even if you find a good player it's very difficult because he defined an era with us. We have internal solutions, but we'll surely make some kind of move. It's about finding the best solutionDeco

The Rodri Signing Has Nothing to Do With Real Madrid

On the signing of Rodri, one of the biggest moves of the Barcelona summer, Deco wanted to shut down any read of rivalry with Real Madrid. No hidden messages, no power plays, according to the executive, the decision came down to something much simpler: the midfielder can make the team better.

We didn't sign him to take a player away from Madrid. That would be a mistake. He's one of the best midfielders in the world. We're clear that he can contribute, and that's why it makes senseDeco

Deco also walked through how the deal came together, noting it wasn't part of the club's original plans since it was assumed Rodri wouldn't be available. Once that door opened, Barcelona didn't hesitate to walk through it.

Every signing we've made makes sense. Before we sign anyone, before making a decision, we discuss it at length. At first he wasn't in the plans because we thought he wasn't available. When we saw there was an opportunity, we went for it and got it done, just like with Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu and Joao Cancelo. Everything is done for a reason, to improve the team, and Rodri makes the team betterDeco

Flick, Pleased With the Market

Hansi Flick also weighed in on the same channel and expressed satisfaction with how his sporting director is working. For the German coach, Rodri brings exactly what the midfield was missing: order, leadership and the ability to control the rhythm of a match.

We're looking for that player and Deco is doing a great job. Rodri showed at the World Cup that he was one of the best, he gave the team structure, he organizes the play well, he can decide whether to play faster or slower, he's a leaderHansi Flick

While it's still being decided whether a big number nine arrives, Flick has an alternative on the table who earned minutes on the strength of preseason goals: Hamza Abdelkarim, who finished as the team's top scorer with four goals. The coach sees more than just goal scoring in him.

Hamza is a good forward. We can see it when he attacks crosses. Today I saw him holding onto the ball, which is good. This is what I want to see from himHansi Flick

With the market racing against the clock, Barcelona has strengthened its midfield with Rodri and a young piece who is starting to earn the coach's trust. What's left, though, is to settle the most urgent matter of all: finding who fills the spot Lewandowski left behind in the box.