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.
