Why Barcelona didn't re-sign Joao Cancelo or Joao Felix

Barcelona wanted to re-sign Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix on loan during the summer transfer window, but deals for both proved impossible.

The 'Joaos' arrived in Catalonia from Manchester City and Atletico Madrid respectively on temporary deals last summer, looking for a place to get their own careers back on track while proving cost-effective for Barcelona, who were still hamstrung by financial limitations.

Neither was a rip-roaring success. Cancelo played more and arguably had a greater impact on account of Alejandro Balde suffering a long-term injury and the squad lacking a genuine right-back. But with Barca not out of the woods financially, shedding players just to have the capital and salary room to make – in the end – only one major signing, the club wanted them on similar deals again.

As it played out, offers for Cancelo and Felix were never made. The former wound up leaving Europe altogether to sign with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The latter is now at Chelsea. Both players moved in permanent transfers, which was the crux of the issue for Barca.

Marca explains that Manchester City, where Cancelo fell out of favour suddenly in late 2022, were only prepared to allow another loan if it came with an obligation to buy next summer. The fixed price purchase would have been set at €20m (£16.9m) and that was too much for Barcelona.

They backed away and interest in Cancelo faded. Al Hilal picked it up, paying City a higher transfer fee and offering the player significantly more too.

As for Felix, there was seemingly willingness from head coach Hansi Flick, who is believed to have rejected the chance to go after N'Golo Kante as a show of his influence. But, again, a loan wasn't feasible because Atletico were only interested in a permanent transfer.

Barcelona had to let Felix know they couldn't make it work, which is ultimately what paved the way for him to return to Chelsea, having spent a few months there in 2023, for €57m (£46.3m).