Barcelona sporting director Deco says the club had not planned to sign Rodri at the start of the transfer window, but moved swiftly after the Manchester City midfielder became available.
Rodri joined Barcelona from Manchester City on Tuesday after rejecting an offer from Real Madrid. Deco said the unexpected opportunity, combined with the Spain international’s qualities and character, convinced the club that he could make a significant difference to the team.
His comments came after Barcelona beat Al Ahly 2-1 in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday evening.
“We are happy with all the players we have signed,” Deco told TV3, in comments reported by AS. “Every signing was made according to a clear logic, and before completing any deal we think carefully and discuss it internally.”
The sporting director said Rodri had not featured in Barcelona’s original recruitment plans because the club did not expect him to be available.
“Rodri was not part of our plans, because we did not believe he would be available,” Deco said. “When he became available, and considering his character, his qualities and his suitability for Barcelona, we felt he would improve the team a lot.”
The transfer has been viewed as a notable piece of business by Barcelona, given that Rodri had also been offered the chance to join Real Madrid. However, Deco rejected the idea that the move represented a victory over Barcelona’s traditional rivals.
He said Barcelona had not pursued the midfielder simply to prevent Real Madrid from signing him.
“We do not sign players in order to deprive another club of them,” Deco said. “Rodri is a world champion, and a few months ago we did not know that he would be available.”
He added: “We know very well what he can give us.”
That assessment reflects Barcelona’s belief in the technical value Rodri can bring to the midfield. Deco’s comments also made clear that the club’s decision was driven by the player’s potential contribution rather than by a desire to interfere with Real Madrid’s plans.
The signing was announced by Barcelona on Tuesday, shortly before Deco addressed the media following the victory over Al Ahly. The deal therefore became one of the most unexpected developments of the club’s transfer window, with Rodri moving to Barcelona only after circumstances changed and made a previously unlikely agreement possible.
Deco stressed that the club’s recruitment process involved detailed consideration and internal discussion before any deal was completed. In Rodri’s case, Barcelona responded when an opportunity emerged that it had not anticipated at the beginning of the transfer period.
The midfielder’s decision to choose Barcelona over Real Madrid has added further interest to the transfer, but Deco insisted the club’s priority was clear: to secure a player whom it believes can strengthen the team considerably.
