Incoming Barcelona sports chief Deco is eager to go Portuguese for their Sergi Busquets replacement.
Barca will seek to buy a midfielder to succeed their departing captain this summer.
Sport says Deco has identified two options for the position.
It is the Portuguese duo Joo Palhinha and Florentino Luis - who belong to Fulham and Benfica respectively.
Palhinha is said to be available for 50m, while Luis can be signed for 40m.
Deco , who will soon become the new sporting director of Barcelona, believes that Palhinha and Luis are better options than Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.