Barça are already negotiating to sign this full-back

Barcelona have already taken an important step in João Cancelo’s future and are now working to keep him beyond this season. The operation has entered a more serious phase, with direct talks already under way between the club and his camp. Recent reporting says Barça are in contact with Jorge Mendes, who is now a central figure in trying to shape a deal that works for all sides.

The objective is clear: Barcelona want to keep Cancelo, but only under conditions that fit the club’s financial reality. That is why the talks are not simply about whether Barça like the player — that part is already obvious — but about finding a formula that makes the move possible without damaging the club’s wider summer planning.

Cancelo has convinced the coaching staff

One of the biggest reasons the operation is alive is that Cancelo has fully convinced the technical side of the club. Hansi Flick has made it clear he values the Portuguese full-back highly, especially because of his ability to play on both flanks and offer tactical solutions in different situations. Reports over the last week say Flick wants him to stay and sees him as a useful piece for next season.

That view is shared more broadly inside the club. Barça believe Cancelo has responded well in important moments and has shown the kind of versatility that is difficult to find on the market. In a squad that may again face injuries and rotation demands across a long season, that flexibility gives him even more value.

The whole operation depends on money

Even with the sporting approval in place, Barça’s economic stance remains very strict. The club do not want to make a major transfer investment to close the deal. That is the key point shaping everything now. Recent reports say Al Hilal are asking for around €15 million, while Barcelona are trying to avoid a conventional paid transfer and continue to prefer a much cheaper route.

That is why the conversations with Jorge Mendes matter so much. Barça are trying to explore formulas that reduce the cost as much as possible, whether through a softer structure, pressure on the Saudi club, or another solution that makes the numbers less damaging. For now, though, the biggest obstacle is still the same: the club want Cancelo, but not at any price.

The player also wants to stay

Another major factor working in Barça’s favour is the player’s own desire. The reporting around this case consistently says Cancelo wants to continue at Barcelona, which gives the club a stronger position than they would have in a normal transfer battle. His comfort at Barça, along with the relationship with Mendes, is one of the reasons the operation remains very much alive.

So the picture is now quite clear. Barcelona have already activated the Cancelo operation, talks with Jorge Mendes are under way, and the club want to keep him. The only thing still unresolved is whether the financial conditions can be brought into line with Barça’s limits. That is what will decide whether this turns into a completed signing or remains only an attempt.

Editorial