Barcelona are looking to strengthen their ranks in the winter transfer market to address the problem of the lack of substitutes in the right and left-back positions.
The club is focusing on signing an experienced player who has previously shone in the team’s ranks to provide defensive depth and diversify tactical options. This move could contribute to improving performance and meeting the team’s needs in the current season.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” Joan Laporta intends to strengthen the ranks of the Barcelona team and has added one of his old acquaintances to his list of targets: Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese full-back, who left a positive impression during his loan period with the team last season, could be the solution to two major problems facing coach Hansi Flick at the moment: the lack of defensive depth on both the right and left sides.
Barcelona currently has Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde as the primary options in the right and left-back positions. However, the lack of reliable substitutes is a source of concern for the German coach, especially in a season full of commitments across various competitions. Therefore, Joao Cancelo, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, is seen as an ideal option to strengthen both positions as a versatile and experienced player.
Joao Cancelo’s desire to return to Barcelona is a decisive factor in this process. According to sources close to the player, Cancelo has good memories of his previous period at the Catalan club, where he quickly adapted and became an important part of the team’s squad. Furthermore, Cancelo believes his style of play is a perfect fit for Barcelona’s possession-based and attacking philosophy.
For his part, Laporta believes that Cancelo’s return will not only strengthen the team but also send a strong message about the club’s ambitions in the transfer market. Although Al Hilal are not ready to give up the player easily, the Barcelona president is confident that the player’s desire to return and the good relationship between the two parties could facilitate reaching an agreement.
Tactically, Hansi Flick does not view Cancelo as the ideal reinforcement due to his poor reputation at the teams he previously played for and his unceremonious departures due to disagreements with teammates and coaches.