Portugal’s aspirations for the World Cup came to a disappointing end last night as the team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, faced a narrow loss to Spain.
In the aftermath of the match, players from Barcelona were spotted comforting Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo, who was on loan in Catalonia during the latter half of last season. Gavi even shared heartfelt words with the defender post-game.
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Nonetheless, Barcelona is eager to extend Cancelo’s tenure in Catalonia. Reports suggest that Portugal’s early exit might accelerate Barcelona’s efforts to sign him.
Barcelona Set for New Endeavor
According to a recent report from MARCA, Barcelona is gearing up for a renewed pursuit of Cancelo following Portugal’s World Cup elimination.
The defeat marked the end of Portugal’s World Cup journey. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Discussions had already commenced earlier this summer but were paused due to the World Cup. With the tournament now over, Barcelona is eager to renew negotiations to expedite the deal.
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Key to this renewed interest is Hansi Flick, who has personally urged Deco to retain Cancelo at the club.
The Portuguese international delivered outstanding performances during his loan spell last season, even surpassing Alejandro Balde for a starting position.
Barcelona remains optimistic about securing Cancelo’s services before the start of next season, despite facing some challenges.
Challenges Ahead
Will Cancelo find his way back to Barcelona? (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The primary challenge for Barcelona is Cancelo’s substantial salary at Al Hilal, making contract termination costly.
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In an effort to address this, Cancelo is anticipated to express his desire to leave clearly to the Saudi club, aiming for a mutually beneficial resolution.
Despite this, Barcelona understands that negotiations may not be straightforward.
The club recognizes that the process could take longer than expected, not only due to financial disparities but also because of tax considerations that need resolution.
Nonetheless, optimism remains strong among Barcelona officials that a viable solution can ultimately be reached.