With just a week left in the transfer window, Barcelona are looking to wrap up proceedings by signing their right-back target Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.
The Portuguese international is seen as the final piece of the puzzle in what has already been a productive summer window for the club.
The Blaugrana couldn’t have asked for a better window, signing Inigo Martinez, Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu for bargain deals while clearing out some deadwood to balance their books.
An agreement has been reached between Man City and Barca over Cancelo’s loan move with a purchase option, but the deal has hit an unexpected stumbling block due to Financial Fair Play issues.
However, the delay is temporary, and Cancelo is expected to complete his switch to Catalonia soon.
Another player who has been heavily linked with a move to Barca is Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.
Speculation has been swirling around Felix’s future as the former Benfica star has lost his place under Diego Simeone.
Barca, who have previously tried to sign Felix on many occasions, are the front-runners to land the Portuguese youngster.
The 23-year-old is desperate to rejuvenate his deteriorating career and has publicised his desire to represent the Blaugrana.
Felix not in Xavi’s plans
Blaugrana manager Xavi holds a strong command over the club’s transfer business.
All the players signed during his reign – from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Inigo Martinez – were his hand-picked targets.
At the same time, he has vetoed some of the transfers that the club recommended to him.
For instance, Ruben Neves was offered to Barca by his agent Mendes, and club president Joan Laporta also welcomed his signing, but Xavi didn’t appreciate his profile.
Neves later completes a sensational move to Al-Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Similarly, before his move to Al-Hilal, Neymar had dreamt of returning to Barca, but only to be turned down by Xavi.
While Laporta wants to recruit the Portuguese star following numerous failed attempts in the past, Xavi doesn’t see eye to eye with him.
Is Felix a better fit for Barca?
Despite his world-class potential and young age, Felix would struggle to fit into Xavi’s system.
His best position is through the middle, but he would be unable to dislodge Robert Lewandowski from the starting XI.
Although Felix can play on the flanks, it is not his natural position, and there are more talented wingers such as Ez Abde and Ansu Fati in the squad.
Xavi has full trust in Abde and has decided to keep him despite heavy exit speculation.
Felix’s poor work ethic and attitude issues, which were prevalent during his time at Atletico, could hamper the squad harmony at Barca.
