Barcelona inform Jorge Mendes they plan to keep on-loan star beyond this season | OneFootball

Although FC Barcelona were prioritising the signing of a centre back in the winter transfer window, the Catalans ultimately moved for the fullback Joao Cancelo, largely due to financial constraints that made his arrival more feasible.

His registration was only made possible following the long-term injury of Andreas Christensen, allowing the club to bring him in on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Cancelo’s return to Barcelona initially came with some uncertainty. Even head coach Hansi Flick had his doubts, but circumstances soon worked in the Portuguese defender’s favour.

Injuries to Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde opened the door for Cancelo to establish himself as a regular starter, and he has taken that opportunity with both hands. His attacking contributions from the flank have been particularly impressive, and he once again showed his importance with a decisive display in the recent win over Atletico Madrid.

Beyond his on-pitch performances, the Portuguese international has also integrated seamlessly into the dressing room, winning over teammates and staff alike with his professionalism and commitment. This has further strengthened the growing consensus within the club to retain him beyond the current campaign.

According to SPORT, Barcelona have now taken the first concrete step towards that objective by informing Mendes of their intention to keep Cancelo for next season. The player himself is also keen to continue, as he feels valued at the club and is fully settled in the city.

The next phase of the operation will involve negotiations with Al-Hilal, with whom Cancelo still has one year left on his contract. The Saudi side is expected to demand a significant fee, meaning all parties will need to find a solution that works financially.

For now, discussions remain at an early stage, but both Barcelona and the player are aligned in their desire to continue together, leaving the final outcome dependent on the progress of talks in the coming weeks.