Despite their financial problems, FC Barcelona were able to significantly strengthen their team in the last summer transfer window. They not only added one of the best midfielders in the world, Ilkay Gundogan, but also got Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo.
Fast forward a year, and none of these players are now playing for Barcelona. Gundogan, despite being one of the most important players for the Blaugranes last season, returned to Manchester City this summer. Similarly, Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo also returned to their clubs, and have moved to other sides since, after having ended their loan stints at Barcelona.
Both Felix and Cancelo wanted to remain in Barcelona, but the Catalan entity’s financial problems made it difficult for them to obtain them once again. Cancelo only recently finalized his move to the Saudi side Al-Hilal, after having waited for Barcelona for most part of the summer transfer window.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the fullback left a message for the Cules. Posting his picture in a Barcelona jersey, the defender wrote: “We never give up… Visca el Barça always”. This message was accompanied by red and blue hearts.
Later, Gavi responded to this message by posting another picture in which he is hugging Cancelo, and wrote: “Always on my team, brother.” Cancelo replied to this post by writing: “I love you, little brother.”
Thus, the possibility of Cancelo spending the 2024-25 season with the Barcelona team is now eliminated. Al-Hilal will pay €25 million to Manchester City for his signing and will bind him with a three-year contract that goes till 2027.
During his time at Barcelona, Cancelo made 32 La Liga appearances and another 10 appearances in the UEFA Champions League. He scored two goals in the league and another two in the Champions League, while also giving four La Liga assists and one Champions League assist.
