FC Barcelona faces the start of a season in which transfer market management remains a recurring topic. After the summer moves, with Marcus Rashford's loan as the star reinforcement in attack, comparisons have quickly emerged. Especially because abroad there's a footballer who was a Barça priority and is already dazzling in another jersey.
The name was on Deco's table for several weeks. The sporting director saw him as the ideal piece to complete a young and competitive attack alongside Lamine Yamal. However, financial fair play restrictions and the inability to reach the figures demanded by its club ultimately halted the operation.
In Barcelona, there were internal voices that called for extra effort to try to close the deal. The conviction was clear: he was a game-changing player, used to competing at the highest European level and with experience in big nights. Even so, Joan Laporta and his board had to admit they couldn't compete with Bayern Munich's financial power.
A debut that sets off alarms at Camp Nou
The Bundesliga experienced one of its most high-profile matches next weekend. Bayern was making its home debut against a top-level rival and the main character quickly appeared with a goal of pure quality.
The Allianz Arena crowd was thrilled with his first goal, a play full of speed and determination. He received the ball on the wing, left his marker behind with an electric move, and finished with an unstoppable shot. The stands immediately surrendered and the German media spoke of an "instant star."
In Barcelona, the contrast was painful. Barça fans, who had closely followed his name during the transfer window, quickly filled social media with messages of frustration. Even Lamine Yamal, in a gesture interpreted by many as a hint, privately suggested that the club made a mistake by not going all in.
Deco's frustrated bet
Deco had insisted he was the perfect complement for the project. His versatility in attack, competitive character, and ability to break open tight matches made him a highly sought-after profile. The plan was to pair him with Lamine to create a present and future duo capable of scaring Europe.
However, Barça's salary margin was minimal. The sporting management had tried to find creative formulas, such as deferred payments or loans with a purchase obligation. None were accepted by Liverpool, which demanded figures close to seventy-five million euros.
Meanwhile, Bayern acted with the coldness of a giant. It put up the necessary amount, closed the deal in a matter of days, and presented its new star as the central piece of Vincent Kompany's project. In weeks, the footballer went from being on Barça's radar to becoming an idol in Germany.
An immediate impact that reinforces Barça's regret
The synergy with Harry Kane and Michael Olise was immediate. The Bavarian attack showed a fluidity rarely seen in a debut, with quick plays and automatisms that seemed to have been worked on for months. The German media are already talking about a "fearsome trio" capable of bringing Bayern back to the top of Europe.
At Barça, on the other hand, reflection is inevitable. Marcus Rashford still needs time to adapt and Dani Olmo continues to struggle with physical problems. Meanwhile, the player Deco identified as a priority is already making headlines for his talent and personality on the big stage.
The Barça locker room itself isn't oblivious to this reality. Lamine Yamal, who dreamed of sharing the attack with him, has hinted in internal conversations that the club "shouldn't have let him go." For the young man from Mataró, that signing would have meant an immediate competitive leap and the perfect partner to grow with.
Finally, it has been confirmed that the main character of this chapter is none other than Luis Díaz. The Colombian winger, sought after by Barça, has found the perfect showcase to shine at Bayern Munich and is already considered one of the best.