Barcelona double down on commitment to sign veteran star permanently after World Cup displays | OneFootball

Joao Cancelo’s performances at the FIFA World Cup have reinforced Barcelona’s determination to keep the Portuguese defender beyond this season.

According to SPORT, the Catalan club is extremely pleased with the full-back’s displays for Portugal, with sporting director Deco believing the tournament has confirmed that Cancelo remains one of the world’s leading players in his position.

Although Barcelona already intended to push for his permanent stay, his latest performances have further strengthened that decision.

Barcelona fully committed to keeping Cancelo

Cancelo arrived at Barcelona on loan earlier this year and established himself as the preferred option ahead of Alejandro Balde at left-back.

His consistency since arriving at the club has convinced Barcelona’s sporting department that there has been no drop in his level despite questions raised earlier in the season.

Cancelo’s World Cup performances have convinced Barcelona. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

As such, club officials have been particularly impressed by his performances during the World Cup, viewing them as further evidence that he can remain an important figure in Hansi Flick’s long-term project.

As a result, Barcelona now see the Portuguese international as a key player for the coming seasons and are eager to complete a deal that would secure his future at Spotify Camp Nou.

Jorge Mendes expected to play key role

The outlet assures that despite their confidence, Barcelona know completing the operation will not be easy for multiple reasons.

Firstly, Cancelo’s rights remain tied to Saudi ownership, meaning negotiations are expected to be complex and could take time to reach a conclusion.

Casado could be included in the Cancelo deal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Even so, Barcelona believe they have an important advantage through their strong relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes, who is expected to play a central role in finding an agreement between all parties.

In that regard, one solution still under consideration involves Marc Casado.

The Barcelona midfielder has previously been mentioned as a possible component in negotiations, with a deal potentially involving both financial compensation and the inclusion of the academy graduate. 

Casado, meanwhile, is continuing to assess the offers on his table before deciding on the next step in his career, and it is very much likely that a final decision will take a considerable amount of time.