Barcelona make €30 million defender their top priority for 2024 summer – report

Barcelona had to take a huge gamble during this summer transfer window when they signed two players on loan in the form of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, without an option to purchase either one of them.

With the fullback area and the forward line both depleted, Barcelona had no other options other than temporary transfers.

If the transfers did not bode well, the Catalans would have had to find someone else to replace them in the upcoming windows, with no guarantee of them fitting into the side either, plus the extra time it would take any new player to settle into the side and city.

If the Joaos worked out, though, Barcelona would be inclined to negotiate permanent transfers with Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, with neither team particularly inclined to give the hosts a discount.

So far, both players have had a mixed campaign. Both, Cancelo and Felix, started life well at the new club, scoring on their debut.

While their can be an argument made for them being able to maintain their performances but not their out, it certainly reflects worse on the latter, who is a forward.

Which is why it is no surprise that reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that Barcelona have made Cancelo their top priority for the summer transfer window. They want to address this issue before the end of the season.

Why do Barcelona want Cancelo

Cancelo has proven to be a huge creative asset for Xavi’s side, largely due to his ability to invert into midfield, and also provide width when necessary.

The coaching staff are also huge fans of his technical capabilities, and his ability to cover at left-back when and if Alejandro Balde requires replacing.

Manchester City have stuck a €30 million asking price on Cancelo, though, which is well below Felix’s €70-80 million tag, but still unattainable for Barça as things stand.

Barcelona’s other headaches

While Cancelo solves a lot of issues for Barcelona in the fullback roles, both on the left and right side, the club still have to address issues in defensive midfield, where Oriol Romeu cannot cut it for them long-term.

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad is Xavi’s firm top-choice, while the names of Ederson dos Santos and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is also on the table according to the same report.

Further, the offence might need reinforcement, as well, with the left flank in dire need of a proper winger. Thankfully, Robert Lewandowski’s backup could be sorted as early as January with the arrival of Vitor Roque.