FC Barcelona seems to have definitively forgotten about the option of recovering Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix this summer. Although the board of directors and the coaching staff consider that the Portuguese could be of great value in the Barça squad next season, financially the operation remains stagnant due to the decision of Atlético de Madrid and Manchester City not to negotiate a new loan for both.
And at the moment, both 'colchoneros' and 'cityzens' are prioritizing a sale to get out of Viseo and Barreiro, respectively. With Félix, the situation seems a little less tense compared to the previous summer, since Diego Simeone has counted on him for the preseason friendlies. However, the 'red and white' board continues to wait for an offer in the order of 50 million euros.
This is how the negotiations for Cancelo and Félix are this summer
Benfica was the only club interested in closing the transfer of the playmaker, without confirming any proposal that would convince 'Aleti', as they are only in a position to acquire a percentage of his rights. The latest information indicates Aston Villa as another of those interested in the 24-year-old player, whose contract ends in 2027. In principle, those from Birmingham would be willing to get closer to the 50 'kilos' that the 'colchoneros' ask for.
For its part, City is also not willing to let Cancelo leave for less than 20 million net. The 20-year-old defender prioritizes returning to Barcelona and does not rule out putting pressure on the club to accept a new loan from the Catalans, perhaps with a mandatory purchase option in June 2025. Juventus has been suggested as a possible destination for Barreiro, a club that he knows well after his time in Turin in 2018/19.
Cancelo and Félix are no longer priorities for Barça
In that sense, Barça does not rule out waiting until the last days of the market to make a final decision with the Joaos. Although both players are no longer a priority for the club, neither is completely ruled out. Joao Félix is the one who has the least chance of returning, especially if the club manages to sign Nico Williams. However, the arrival of Dani Olmo may also condition his return to Catalonia. In the case of Cancelo, Álex Valle's good preseason, added to the presence of Héctor Fort and Jules Koundé, seem to leave the right side well covered for next season. On the left, Balde will regain ownership, with Fort himself as a feasible replacement.