Why Barcelona didn’t bring back João Félix and João Cancelo

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has on Tuesday provided an insight into the reasoning behind the club’s decision not to attempt to bring João Félix and João Cancelo back to the Camp Nou over the summer.

Both frontman Félix and defender Cancelo, of course, spent last season plying their trade on loan in Catalunya’s capital.

The Portuguese duo played important roles under the watch of now-former Barca head coach Xavi, with the latter in particular having stood as a near ever-present in the Blaugrana’s backline.

Widespread speculation over the course of the summer, in turn, pointed towards it being altogether likely that either one or both players would ultimately make their way back to Barcelona.

In the end, however, this did not prove to be the case.

João Félix has since gone on to put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Premier League giants Chelsea, whilst Cancelo has opted for the riches of Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Hilal.

Speaking to the media in a press conference on Tuesday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Barcelona’s summer links with both players was put to the aforementioned Joan Laporta once more.

And the Spanish patron went on to reveal that, after sitting down to plan the club’s squad for 2024/25, Deco and Hansi Flick came to the conclusion that Félix and Cancelo were not priorities:

“Cancelo and Félix? When Deco and Flick planned the squad, they didn’t have them in their plans. They were on loan then both joined different clubs, so it’s normal.”

Conor Laird | GSFN