Transfer Centre

Joan Laporta talks-up permanent deals for Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 October 2023

Laporta talks-up permanent deals for Cancelo, Felix

Barcelona president Joan Laporta talks-up the prospect of his club signing Manchester City's Joao Cancelo and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix on permanent deals.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has talked-up the prospect of his club signing Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix on permanent deals during next summer's transfer window.

Both players arrived at Camp Nou on loan in the closing stages of the market, with Cancelo joining from Manchester City, while Felix made the switch from Atletico Madrid.

Cancelo has scored twice and provided one assist in eight appearances for Barcelona this season, while Felix has registered three goals and three assists in eight outings.

Laporta has said that any deals will depend on the club's finances due to their ongoing problems, but the president is keen for the two Portugal internationals to join on permanent deals.

Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo on September 23, 2023 © Reuters

"If they keep playing like this, we will have to make an effort to sign Joaos, but it depends on what Deco says. I want the best players to stay. I like Joao Felix a lot, I always have," Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

"There are very competitive players in the Barca squad. We have a team that is much more highly valued on the market than when we arrived. Who doesn't like Pedri, Gavi, [Alejandro] Balde, [Robert] Lewandowski, Raphinha, Cancelo...?

"At this time we presented a budget that consolidates us in the stability of the entity. We will present profits without the levers. We have already reduced debt, although it is not done overnight.

"The levers have allowed us to regain our leadership in the world of football and to make a profit.

"In all areas, we have obtained better figures than budgeted. In commercial, €351m (£305.5m). We have made record figures in sponsorship and merchandising. We are working well and we have the strength of the Barca crest."

Barcelona's Joao Felix during the warm up before the match on September 3, 2023 © Reuters

A recent report claimed that Barcelona are actively working on a deal for Felix, who is expected to be available for a fee in the region of €80m (£69m).

Atletico are in a strong position when it comes to any potential negotiations surrounding the forward, as his contract at Wanda Metropolitano is due to run until June 2029.

Felix took a huge pay cut to move to Barcelona this summer and will allegedly push to make the move permanent next year, even if he is offered more lucrative deals elsewhere.

Cancelo, meanwhile, has a contract at Man City until June 2027, meaning that the Premier League champions will also be in a strong position when it comes to agreeing on a price for the right-back.