At a Glance
- FC Barcelona’s plan: The club is already evaluating ways to keep João Cancelo permanently.
- Talks ongoing: Discussions with his agent Jorge Mendes have begun.
- Player’s stance: Cancelo is keen to stay at Barcelona and continue beyond his current spell.
FC Barcelona are already working behind the scenes to secure João Cancelo’s long-term future at the club, following a series of standout performances in recent weeks.
The Portuguese full-back, who returned to Catalonia in January for a second loan spell at the club, has quickly re-established himself as a key figure under Hansi Flick.
According to Fabrizio Romano, discussions have already begun between Barcelona and Cancelo’s agent Jorge Mendes, with the club exploring multiple options to buy him permanently from Al-Hilal.
Financial constraints remain a factor, but the intention within the club is clear.
Barcelona are exploring a formula to keep Cancelo
Barcelona’s current situation means any deal will require careful structuring, whether through a reduced fee, payment instalments, or alternative financial solutions.
Despite these challenges, the club is actively working on a strategy to retain the full-back, recognizing both his tactical importance and versatility.
Cancelo’s ability to operate on both flanks, invert into midfield, and contribute in attacking phases makes him a unique profile within the squad.
These qualities have become increasingly important in Flick’s system, which relies heavily on full-backs to provide width, creativity, and control in possession.
In addition, the player himself is fully aligned with the club’s vision.
He’s keen to remain in Barcelona, creating a positive dynamic that could facilitate negotiations in the coming months.
Cancelo’s performance against Atlético highlighted his importance
Cancelo’s impact was on full display in Barcelona’s match last night at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Atlético Madrid, where he delivered one of his most complete performances since returning.
He played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win, and was directly involved in the build-up to the winning goal scored by Robert Lewandowski.
His influence on the game was evident both in possession and defensively, and Alejandro Balde has truly lost the left back spot to Cancelo as things stand.
The numbers the Portuguese defender put up underline the quality of his performance:
- 42/47 successful passes
- 67% successful dribbles
- 7 possessions won
- 6/11 ground duels won
Beyond the statistics, it was his control, composure, and attacking intent that stood out – qualities that Barcelona have increasingly relied on in recent weeks.
With performances of this level, it is no surprise that Barcelona are moving to secure his future, as Cancelo continues to prove his value as a key part of the team moving forward.
Over a week ago, Mundo Deportivo’s Gabriel Sans reported that it will take €15 million to buy the 31-year-old outright.
On-field figures that help convince them to do so are one goal and three assists in eight La Liga appearances thus far.
