Transfer Market closing drama: FC Barcelona signs Portuguese duo on deadline

FC Barcelona has been suffering with its financial problems since the past few years. The club participated on this year’s summer transfer market again in search of some capable talent who can develop the squad. The club which is having a shortage of money still manages to sign players because of its humungous brand value and friendly nature. Something similar happened which favoured the squad again during the last day of the 2023-24 summer transfer market that was on 1st September.

FC Barcelona has witnessed a list of legendary players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and many more who have been sculptured in the history of the club. Many budding and experienced players aim to play for this club and want to be a part of it. One of such signing which happened this summer transfer for the club was the deal of the Manchester City and Portugal right back, Joao Cancelo. The player who has been a part of Manchester City since 2019 after the club bought the player for 60 million euros for a three-year deal finished his contract at 2022. Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola who was dealing with his club’s defence decided to send the player at a loan deal to FC Bayern Munich for the 2022-23 season. Now after completing a one year loan deal at the Munich, the player has come back to Manchester but it seems like Joao is still not in the plans of Pep.

Meanwhile, Barcelona who has been keeping an eye over the Portuguese since the past winter, wanted him eagerly to fill their right back position with a proper world-class option after the exit of Dani Alves in 2022. The team had to use Jules Kounde in a dual position, managing both the right back and the centre back position during the previous season. But after the Joao Cancelo situation which arose again into the Manchester side club during this summer, the Catalunyan side took full charge into the matter and proposed a formal bid to the club for the defender. The clubs who carry a very friendly relation with each other agreed on the loan deal with an option to buy, for the defender. FC Barcelona further proposed the option to the La Liga committee but due to the Financial Fair Play rule of La Liga, the club ended at buying the player at a loan with no option to buy due to the club’s financial issue.

The second Portuguese player which the club got in place was, Joao Felix. The Atletico Madrid and Portugal winger who has also been on a loan season to Chelsea during 2022-23 came back to the Spanish side this summer window. Felix was all set to play for the Madrid side again this season but in an exclusive interview which took place on 18th July with the world class football journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the player said, “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I would love to join them.”. The statement changed the entire scenario for the player. Atletico Madrid who bought the striker from SL Benfica at the age of 19 has extended his contract with the club till 2029 but the player’s love for Barcelona as his childhood dream club was something more, which the player kept waiting for it. The Portuguese’s dream shaped into reality when FC Barcelona bought the player on loan on Friday during the last hours of the summer transfer market. The Portuguese players will present themselves in front of Camp Nou soon.