Xavi will have Cancelo… and the club will have Felix
The market is coming to an end and Barça, barring any surprises, are practically playing with their cards marked. The reality is that the Blaugrana have made the most of a difficult economic situation and are going to achieve their objective, except for the unexpected departure of Ousmane Dembélé: They have managed to maintain the starting line-up from last season and made changes at a very low cost that could improve the team's performance.
And everything has been done by trying to reach a sometimes difficult consensus between the coach's wishes and the directives of the sporting department. Proof of this is what looks set to happen in the final days of planning. Barça have already practically tied down Joao Cancelo by making a significant financial effort because the coach has asked for it. He is a clear signing for Xavi, who wanted a specialist with a lot of experience in his legs and an immediate return. His vision has prevailed, but it will not always be like that.
Because everything indicates that the latest addition will be Joao Félix, a player who does not quite fit Xavi's plan, as has been repeated by those closest to him in recent weeks. The club, in this case, will go over everything, considering that he is a great opportunity in the market, that he could fit in as a Blaugrana player and could become an interesting player, even for the future. This does not mean that the signing will be consummated, but it does mean that they are going to try until the last hours of 1 September.
The one who always wins is Jorge Mendes. Barça, who didn't sign any big deals for him last year, could open the doors to two of his 'cursed' players. Cancelo is sentenced at Manchester City and Joao Felix is a major problem at Atletico Madrid. There can be no doubting the quality of both and that they can return to the role of international stars, but Xavi is going to have to manage their egos with a very firm hand. In a dressing room that had become a family, two players who take it very, very hard not to be starters could be brought in. If they fit in and adapt, they will certainly add to the dynamic, but if they don't, it will be a bombshell in the dressing room.
