Barcelona face a big call at left-back before the summer window shuts. Talk over Alejandro Balde's future is growing, with Manchester United keen to sign him, and it could force Deco's sporting department to rethink their plans for the new season.
According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport", Balde had wanted to stay at Barcelona but has begun to open the door to a move since United entered the picture. Joao Cancelo's return and fears over a reduced role under Hansi Flick have only sharpened the doubts. Should a strong offer land and Balde agree to leave, the club face three options.
Option one is the simplest: sign a new left-back to replace Balde, particularly with Flick already leaning on Cancelo there. Time is the enemy, though. Prising key players away from their clubs is rarely easy this late in the window, and it could leave Barcelona paying sums they would rather not.
A second route brings Gerard Martin back to left-back, freeing the Balde money to fund a new centre-back. That fits the club's recent transfer patterns, and Deco has already been running the rule over a number of defenders to bolster the backline.
Versatility is the bonus here, with Martin able to cover more than one role. Flick was happy with him at centre-back last season, but he has made one thing clear: any new defender must be top class and capable of making a genuine difference.
The third scenario places trust in youngster Jordi Pisker, who impressed during pre-season and could be called upon to deputise on the left flank. It suits Flick's willingness to hand chances to young players.
Risk defines this option. An injury to Cancelo would heap huge responsibility on a player still only 17. Yet it also speaks to Flick's faith in the academy and his readiness to give young talents real minutes in the side.
Balde's future, then, could shift from a straightforward transfer saga into a decision that reshapes more than one position in the squad. Deco and Flick must pick between signing a new full-back, strengthening the centre of defence, or backing one of their own before the window closes.