During the course of the summer transfer window, there were some clear objectives for Barcelona. The priorities were arguably to sign a new pivot and also potentially bring in Nico Williams from Athletic Club. However, due to priorities and financial reasons, neither ended up happening for Barcelona.
Instead, the club opted to sign Dani Olmo for a considerable amount of money that has at least been justified on the pitch so far. However, there were some other reported objectives as well that were ultimately not achieved due to one reason or another.
One such possible objective was to recover both Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively. Following their one-season loan at Barcelona, it appeared that the Catalan club would attempt to activate a similar operation for the second season in a row.
However, as per the words of Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, highlighted by Fabrizio Romano, the two players were never part of the planning for this ongoing season and stated that everything that happened afterwards was simply to be expected:
“We decided to plan for the squad in a different way. They were on loan then both joined different clubs, so it’s normal.”
Thus, it appears that neither of the two Portuguese stars was in the plans of Barcelona after all for another season. Ultimately, however, their arrival did not appear to be possible either way and both players have now joined different clubs in different continents.
Felix has returned to Chelsea on a permanent deal over in England after a previous loan spell at the London-based club. Cancelo, on the other hand, has traveled over to the Middle East to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on a permanent deal as well.
As for Barcelona, no new arrivals came in the fullback position and most of the club’s new reinforcements have emerged from La Masia or the subsidiary. Fortunately for the Catalan club, Hansi Flick’s faith in the youth continues to drive them forward despite all the hurdles.
