Before the start of the 2024-25 season, FC Barcelona's sporting management had clear priorities. Among them, one in particular stood out above the rest. Deco wanted to strengthen the left wing with a game-changing footballer, fast, skillful in one-on-one situations, with a knack for scoring and vision for linking up play.
The goal was to provide the left side of the Barça attack with a specific profile that had been overlooked for several campaigns. This fact was limiting the team's offensive potential in that area of the field. Deco knew it and tried to fix it.
The game of the FC Barcelona winger
For weeks, the main candidate was Nico Williams, a standout at Athletic. In addition, Deco also considered other high-profile alternatives such as Luis Díaz (Liverpool) or Rafael Leão (AC Milan), although signing them was economically complex.
Meanwhile, the department led by Deco also considered less high-profile options, but with great future potential. One of them was Désiré Doué, a young French prospect from Stade Rennais.
Doué, at just 19 years old, was already a sensation in Ligue 1, attracting the interest of several major European clubs. His profile fit perfectly with Barça's requirements. He proved to be game-changing, creative, and with a technical ability that made him unpredictable for opposing defenses.
Deco, aware of his talent, had marked his name as a real possibility. However, the club's bet was different. Barça decided to pay €55 million for Dani Olmo and not €50 million for Désiré Doué.
Désiré Doué, the PSG sensation who could have been at Barça
Désiré Doué, after being rejected by Barça, ended up joining PSG for a fee close to €50 million. In Paris, Doué has done nothing but confirm his potential. He has scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists in 54 matches, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous players in the attack led by Luis Enrique.
Nicknamed by some as the "new Neymar" for his bold style and attacking influence, the Frenchman has shown surprising versatility. He has played as a winger on both flanks, as an attacking midfielder, and even as a center forward, becoming a key piece in the Parisian project.
His signing for PSG has left a bittersweet feeling among the Barça community. That's why Deco doesn't rule out trying again, but now it will be almost impossible. Luis Enrique doesn't want to let him go and, to make matters worse, the Parisian club is asking €100 million for Désiré Doué.
However, the restrictions imposed by "financial fair play" forced Barça to watch from a distance as a golden opportunity slipped away.