Barcelona director Deco prefers Chelsea midfield target to reinforce pivot position, wants more physicality

One of the main objectives for Barcelona in the summer market will be to sign a quality pivot midfielder and address a key issue that has hurt the team this season.

The Catalans bid goodbye to former captain Sergio Busquets last summer and opted to replace him with Oriol Romeu, a move that has not gone according to plans.

As such, Barcelona intend to sign a new pivot in the summer and have identified several targets as potential reinforcements.

Deco favours Amadou Onana

But, according to a report from SPORT, Barcelona director Deco prefers a move for Everton and Belgium midfield powerhouse Amadou Onana in the summer.

The former Portuguese midfielder is of the belief that Barça have lacked the physical and athletic capacity to compete with oppositions in midfield in the ongoing season.

As such, he is keen on adding more muscle and physicality in the middle of the park, leading to Onana being his favourite option to reinforce the pivot position.

Deco’s preferred midfield option. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old fits the bill for what Deco is looking for in a midfielder – strong and powerful while being technically sound and a good finisher.

Chelsea also in the mix

However, signing Onana could be a challenge for Barcelona as Chelsea are also very much in the mix to sign him from Everton.

The Blues are understood to be already in talks over a potential move for the Belgian midfielder and their spending power is bound to give them an upper hand.

After all, Barcelona are unwilling to spend more than €40 million for Onana while Everton are looking for a fee worth around €70 million.