Deco has preferred option for Barcelona centre-back hunt — and more

Barcelona have two priorities for the summer transfer window, and one of them is a central defender. Despite Director of Football Deco declaring that they had one too many at the position last summer, it seems they will look to make an addition at the position this summer to cover the loss of Inigo Martinez.

It seems Andreas Christensen will be offered a new deal to extend his contract for next season, despite having played just 23 matches in the last two seasons. Meanwhile Ronald Araujo has started just once since November following his mental health break, and Gerard Martin has been required to cover in central defence, leaving a very different picture to the one Barcelona started the season with.

Nathan Ake is preferred option for Deco

In the January transfer window, Barcelona were also linked with a move for a central defender, which was believed to be the priority before the arrival of Joao Cancelo. One the names that featured prominently in those links is Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. The Dutch international was in search of more game time, but after an injury crisis for Pep Guardiola, has started to feature more often. Catalunya Radio say that Deco is most keen on signing Ake in the summer though, as things stand.

Image via Fichajes

Motives behind Ake interest

With a centre-forward the other priority on the agenda, that is expected to absorb most of Barcelona’s resources in terms of what they can spend this summer. As such, preferred options such as Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni are financially out of reach. Ake has one year remaining on his deal this summer, and could be available for a cheaper deal as a result.

The 31-year-old is experienced at the top level, and can also play at left-back, factors that make him Deco’s preferred option.

Slutomgång väntar i gruppspelet av svenska cupen. Redan nu har SVT Sports expert Magnus Eriksson en tydlig favorit: – Sett till hur de har spelat så är de det, säger han om Hammarby.

We asked for your views after Celtic's 2-1 win at Aberdeen which moved them up to second in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kev: With 16 and 13 points respectively from the last six league matches, Motherwell and Celtic are the form teams in the run-in. Rangers have only gained 10/18. Viljami Sinisalo and Benjamin Arthur have strengthened Celtic's defence. Benjamin Nygren is a constant goal threat and James Forrest continues to lead by example. Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda remain key players and should start against Rangers. The league and cup double is there to be won.

John: It's the same theme every game. Grinding out results. It's not good to watch but still in the hunt. I also think it's about time to leave Meada out the squad. He is just an empty jersey.

Hugh: Our main deficiency remains a natural striker, the stats clearly show we have not scored enough goals and have the poorest goals total of the top four teams. Our board have had three transfer windows to sort this issue out and have failed to do so yet no one has been accountable or held responsible for this glaring and obvious failure.

Ian: I don't even know how we are still in this title race. Extraordinary. If Martin O'Neill can win the title this year, what a legend.

Eck: Another poor performance by Celtic. Week in, week out this team are playing well below standard. The only players that have played consistently well are Kieran Tierney, Nygren and Forrest when he gets a chance. Martin has done his best with a poor team, the Celtic board should try and get Henrik Larsson or Scott Brown when Martin finishes up and invest in a decent striker and central defender.

Benny: At this stage of the season it's about getting three points, however Celtic again were lacklustre and huffed and puffed their way to a win. There is no cutting edge to this side and they are far too slow in the build-up play to win games convincingly. Tomas Cvancara up front was starved of service but his overall game was poor and his movement slow. Sebastian Tounekti continues to frustrate by not being direct enough. Thankfully Nygren saved the game with another valuable goal.

Gerry: A must-win game, well won. This result after the draw against Rangers shows how important that one point was. We move above Rangers and now can concentrate on chasing Hearts. Nygren scores another crucial goal too.