How superagent Jorge Mendes played a key role in helping Barcelona register players

Superagent Jorge Mendes maintains an excellent relationship with Barcelona’s top management, including club president Joan Laporta, and he has now become a key part of the club’s planning strategy.

Mendes did not manage to bring any of his star players to Barcelona this summer, although he did reach an agreement to extend Lamine Yamal’s contract on a long-term basis.

The Portuguese agent also tried to offer Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, but Barça’s financial situation made it impossible to trigger his €25 million release clause before it expired on July 31.

Despite that, Mendes has played a key role in Barcelona’s summer, with his actions helping the club register players.

Mendes helps Barcelona free up €30 million in salary space

Indeed, according to SPORT, Mendes has generated almost €30 million in financial fair play space for Barcelona in recent weeks. Without his efforts, it would have been impossible to register the club’s new signings.

The first was arranging Ansu Fati’s departure in record time so the forward could take up residency in Monaco before June 30, a key tax deadline. The club managed to save more than 60% of his salary, hoping that he succeeds and could be sold permanently next summer.

Another major move with the superagent’s involvement was the sale of Pau Víctor to Sporting Braga for €12 million plus €3 million in add-ons.

Mendes handled the entire operation until the striker gave his approval, despite not being his direct representative. His mediation was decisive in completing Barça’s biggest transfer fee of the summer.

The final move came on Friday when Mendes secured the unexpected deal to sell 50% of Francisco Trincao’s rights that Barcelona held to Sporting CP for €11 million.

Mendes had promised Barça earlier in the summer that the club would make money from the winger. His plan was to move him to the Premier League, but a lack of high offers and the player’s reluctance to return to England blocked the deal.

Instead, Mendes devised the sale of 50% of Trincao’s rights to Sporting for €11 million. While Barcelona might have earned much more in the future, the financial pressure left them with no choice but to accept this latest lifeline.

All of these operations, spearheaded by the Portuguese superagent, have been crucial for Barcelona, who have now registered Joan Garcia and should soon be successful in registering Marcus Rashford as well.