Several players who arrived at FC Barcelona in the last summer transfer window are already playing integral roles in the team. Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Felix, and Joao Cancelo are all among the favourite players for Xavi.
While Gundogan has a contract at Barcelona till 2025, with the option to extend it for another season, the futures of Felix and Cancelo are more uncertain as they are currently only on loan.
However, their performances have already convinced Barcelona to try their best to incorporate them in their squad for a longer term.
Previously, it was reported that Barcelona would try to complete negotiations for the duo by the next summer transfer window. However, a new report from Mundo Deportivo claims that the Catalans are now seriously considering advancing the operations to sign them to the upcoming winter transfer window.
The report claims that Barcelona are worried that the continued good performances of the pair will result in their clubs asking for more money by the end of the season, and there will also be more competition from other clubs for their signatures.
The Catalan club is sure that both Cancelo and Felix prioritise staying at Barcelona, and certainly do not want to return to their parent clubs. Cancelo is not too keen to return to playing under Pep Guardiola, while Joao Felix is even less excited about playing for Diego Simeone again.
Atletico Madrid value Felix at around €80 million, while City are expected to ask €25 million for Cancelo. FC Barcelona are aiming to get the asking prices for these players lowered down to €40 million for Felix and €15 million for Cancelo.
The first preference for Barcelona is to buy these players outright. For the Felix deal, the Catalans can also include a player liked by Atletico Madrid in a swap to get his price lowered. Jorge Mendes is also working to ensure that both of these clients remain with Barcelona for several years.
