Deco: 'V. Roque didn't deserve such great hatred for his play at the Barcelona club'

2024-11-14 20:04 © AP

"Barcelona” club sporting director Deco spoke to the "Mundo Deportivo” portal about the fans' hatred towards Vitor Roque, Xavi's desire to acquire this player ahead of time, rumors regarding a possible arrival of Diogo Costa, Erling Haaland, the desire to acquire Nico Williams, Viktor Gyökeres, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen:

"Since I have been familiar with the ‘Barca’ team, I do not remember such a brutal attack on a young foreign player as Vitor Roque.”

This was malicious behavior. It was very painful for me to see the Brazilian in such a situation, as it was not his fault. The forward had to endure a lot, but I am happy that he is now enjoying the game and scoring goals for Sevilla’s "Real Betis” team.”

"I can confirm that Vitor Roque joined the Catalan club in January at Xavi’s request. He wanted the Brazilian to come to replace the injured Gavi.”

V. Roque had no responsibility; such play is not his fault. He will still prove that he is a top-class footballer.”

"Vitor Roque cost 30 million euros, not 60, because there were unmet bonuses from the transfer.”

The forward neither won titles with us nor played the required number of matches, so the price is 30 million euros.”

"We are not negotiating for Diogo Costa to join our club as the new goalkeeper.”

I wish him to win titles with the "Porto” team.”

"There is only one or two forwards of such a level as our Robert Lewandowski... Erling Haaland is one of them.”

"First of all, we need to see if Erling Haaland is what our project needs at all.”

At the right time, we will see if we need a new forward.”

"Nico Williams was on our minds last summer... But he made the decision to stay at his club and life goes on.”

We acquired Dani Olmo since he was our priority target.”

"Viktor Gyökeres is a great forward who scores many goals, but we are not working on acquiring him.”

We have R. Lewandowski and are very happy to have him. For this reason, we do not plan to negotiate with other forwards at this time.”

"No, we do not plan to negotiate with new goalkeepers because we have Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, whose contract with the ‘Barcelona’ club is valid for another three years.”

We will not acquire anyone who could replace this goalkeeper.

If I were Diogo Costa, I’m not sure I would want to move to ‘Barca’ to be a backup goalkeeper. We are not looking to negotiate with him.”

The 25-year-old Diogo Costa’s contract with the "Porto” team is valid until the summer of 2027.