Barcelona wants to sign Nico Williams, but Deco has warned that the conditions for a transfer must be suitable for the club.
Laliga champions Barca are looking for a left wing player, with athletic Bilbao star Williams and Liverpool striker Luis Diaz on their shortlist.
Williams, who played a leading role in the Triumph of Spain in the Euro 2024, registered 18 targeted involvement in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao in 2024-25.
The 22-year-old created 70 chances, while he completed 124 dribbles and performed his expected goals (XG) with 3.7 too much.
Bilbao is said to demand more than € 60 million for Williams, who has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea.
“We have to strengthen that position,” Barca Sporting Director Deco told La Vanguardia.
“We only have Lamine [Yamal] and Raphinha as wing players because Ferran [Torres] is increasingly becoming a striker. When Yamal and Raphinha do not play, the level of the team drops.
“There are various criteria. First, the player must believe in the project. Nico did not happen last year, although for me the priority was Dani Olmo.
“Both Nico and other players show the desire to come. If the circumstances are correct, we try.
'To sign a player, you must follow the right steps. In this case everything is very clear. He has one [release] clause. Then we will see how we can make what the player and the club want to happen. “
Williams has taken care of a bond with Barca star Yamal while he is in international service, but Deco said that friendships mean little when it comes to transfers of big money.
He added: “It's nice that [Yamal] Is Nico's friend, but this is not a club of friends. We come here to work and try to win.
“We already had Nico in our sights last summer; he is a name that we have always had in mind. If they get along well, the better.”
Ansu Fati is a wing player who is not in Barca's plans.
Fati inherited the number 10 shirt from Lionel Messi, but was mainly unable to realize his potential, and Monaco is interested in signing the 22-year-old.
“Given his age and his career, he can't go for another year without playing,” said Deco.
“We are open not to put obstacles in the way of his departure. Monaco has spoken to us. The player wants a loan.”