Barcelona interested in Portuguese duo but deal depends on FFP - Reports
Barcelona are very interested in securing the services of Portuguese duo Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix. However, their potential signings depend on the club’s financial fair play situation, according to reports.
Both Cancelo and Felix were on loan at Blaugrana last season and played crucial roles. Cancelo, on loan from Manchester City, made 42 appearances, while Felix, on loan from Atletico Madrid, featured 44 times and netted 10 goals.
The duo also represented Portugal in the Euros in Germany, where the Cristiano Ronaldo-led team were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
The Spanish giants are certainly in a spot of bother with their financial fair play situation. They have put all operations on hold while awaiting a decision from Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams regarding a potential move. With no signings or departures so far, the prospects for both Cancelo and Felix are uncertain, even though the club is interested in acquiring them, according to Catalunya Radio.
Manchester City, however, are prepared to let Cancelo go, as he appears to be at odds with manager Pep Guardiola. According to the Daily Star, Barcelona have made an offer that includes a £7 million loan fee and an £18 million purchase clause to be activated at the end of the loan period, which could be beneficial given their financial constraints.
The situation for Felix is more challenging and unclear, but he could be a potential option if Williams decides to remain at Athletic Bilbao.
Pep Guardiola heaps praise on Hansi Flick’s youthful FC Barcelona
Despite all their issues off the pitch, a youthful FC Barcelona side managed to defeat Premier League champions Manchester City in their first pre-season clash. The game, held in Orlando, ended in a 2-2 draw before Barcelona won 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
22-year-old Pau Victor scored the opening goal for Barcelona (24'), which was later equalized by Nico O’Reilly for Manchester City (39'). Pablo Torre then restored Barcelona’s lead (45+2'), only for Jack Grealish to level the scores once again (60'). In the shoot-out, Barcelona converted all their penalties, while Manchester City missed two.
Pep Guardiola, who himself came through the esteemed La Masia academy, praised Barcelona’s young players and specifically highlighted Marc Bernal’s ‘extraordinary’ performance and his ability to ‘control’ the game during the post-match press conference.
Guardiola also commended Flick’s approach and extended his best wishes to his former club for the upcoming season.
“I really liked the team. The seasons are long and the pre-seasons are very special, the competition is something else, but they have done a lot of things well. But they all played incredible, they do things very well, they know when they have to run, when they have to press, when they have to anticipate. I wish them all the best," he said.
FC Barcelona will next take on their rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico on August 3, before wrapping up their tour with a match against AC Milan on August 6.