Marca claims that Atletico Madrid expressed a serious interest in
Barcelona midfielder Deco this summer, only for the blaugrana to
refuse their advances. Eventually, the rojiblancos landed Thiago
Motta instead...
The Barca midfield general was left out of some pre-season games by
the blaugrana, stoking the fires of furious speculation that he
could be on his way out of the club.
Atletico, in between buying up other midfield talent such as Simao,
Reyes, Luis Garcia and Raul Garcia, apparently then made an
approach for Deco in the hopes that he could provide a more central
option.
Of course, the move was shot down in any case. Barcelona have
repeatedly insisted that Deco is not for sale.
Atletico eventually landed Thiago Motta from Barcelona, but Deco
appeared to be their first choice, with all levels of the club -
president, advisor, technical director, coach Javier Aguirre -
assenting to the move.
