FC Barcelona made only one senior signing during the January transfer window, bringing Joao Cancelo on loan from Al Hilal until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old full-back has not played regularly enough in his second loan spell with the Blaugrana, but showed that he can be of great value with an impressive performance against Levante this past weekend.
Barcelona have a plan to sign Cancelo permanently
Now, according to SPORT, within Barcelona, there is confidence that Cancelo will continue to improve, and a pre-established plan is already in place to secure his permanent signing in the summer transfer window.
After a hesitant start, the Portuguese has begun to find his rhythm and showcased his attacking potential with an assist on Sunday.
Now, it is being claimed that Barça agreed with Cancelo and his representatives that he would stay beyond this season if he delivered good performances and if certain financial conditions were met, conditions that the player himself would have to facilitate.
Cancelo is in his second loan spell at Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
As part of the ongoing loan arrangement, Al Hilal agreed to cover a significant portion of his wages, and the player himself gave up a part of his salary.
No purchase option was included in the deal, but Barcelona assured Cancelo they would attempt to sign him permanently in the summer, provided he terminated his contract with Al Hilal and arrived as a free agent.
He would only sign if he arrives on a free transfer and agrees to a salary aligned with the club’s financial framework.
Barcelona intend to reinforce the full-back position next season, and Cancelo fits the profile. The club believe he is regaining fitness after an extended period without regular football in Saudi Arabia and could play an important role in the decisive phase of the campaign.
Everything will depend first on his performances and then on him securing his release at no cost by giving up the final year of his contract with Al Hilal.