Although nothing will be finalised until the La Liga title is sealed, with FC Barcelona currently having a nine-point lead over Real Madrid, the club’s sporting department has been working for months alongside Hansi Flick on planning the squad for next season.
There is a shared view that two or three reinforcements are needed to continue competing for all titles and to take a step forward in quality, particularly to challenge for the UEFA Champions League after another failure in Europe.
Complete commitment to Joao Cancelo
According to Ferran Correas of SPORT, one of the positions identified for reinforcement in the summer is full-back, and Barcelona are clear that their preferred option is a player already at the club, Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese defender is in his second loan spell at the club, and this summer is seen as the ideal moment to complete a permanent transfer.
Cancelo arrived on loan from Al Hilal following the long-term injury to Andreas Christensen and has performed well so far. Able to play on either flank, he has established himself as a starter on the left, taking advantage of the injury to Alejandro Balde.
He has made 16 appearances for Barcelona this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists, earning the full trust of Flick. As such, his continuity has become a priority for the German coach, who values his versatility and experience within a young squad.
Cancelo also determined
Cancelo, represented by Jorge Mendes, who is close with club president Joan Laporta, has only one intention – to remain at Barcelona.
He has no desire to return to Saudi Arabia. He is under contract with Al Hilal until 2027, but he believes an agreement between all parties can be reached, despite the absence of a purchase option in the loan deal.
Cancelo is willing to reduce the significant salary he earns at Al Hilal in order to remain at Barcelona. He is also prepared to put pressure on the Saudi club to allow him to leave for a fee that Barcelona can afford within La Liga financial regulations.
In this context, Barcelona are aware that the player’s desire works in their favour, as does the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
These circumstances favour Barcelona, who may be able to secure Cancelo’s transfer for a lower fee than the €15 million Al Hilal have been seeking.
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