Barcelona Sporting Director Deco Expresses Interest in Portuguese Central Defender on a Free Transfer

Barcelona’s Sporting Director Deco is actively seeking opportunities in the transfer market, and he has his eyes set on a potential one.

Tiago Djalo, a 23-year-old central defender from Lille, is nearing the end of his contract, making him a free agent at the conclusion of the season. If Barcelona can strike a deal with him, they have the chance to acquire his services without a transfer fee.

Djalo’s football journey began at Sporting CP, but he later moved to Milan, where he struggled to secure playing time. However, he has found success with Lille, earning a call-up to the Portugal national team, although he has yet to make his international debut. Djalo is known for his speed, strength, aerial ability, and decent ball-playing skills from the back.

Deco, drawing from his experience in Portuguese football, is familiar with Djalo and views him as a promising prospect, as reported by Sport. Nevertheless, Inter is also interested in the young defender and could potentially provide him with a path back to Serie A.

While Barcelona may not have an immediate need for central defenders, they have demonstrated a willingness to take calculated risks, as seen with Franck Kessie. Signing Djalo on a free transfer offers them the opportunity to evaluate his performance without a significant financial commitment. In the event that the partnership doesn’t pan out, Djalo, similar to Kessie, is likely to retain some market value.