BArcelona have completed the contract of Joao Cancelo for the remainder of the season. The agreement has been completed between all parties and only the draft contract and signatures by both clubs and players remain. Before that, La Liga’s medical committee will have to give the green light to Andreas Christensen’s four-month layoff, but the injury is so obvious that this won’t be a problem.
This plan was brought to a sudden conclusion in the last few hours due to pressure from Inter, who were also keen to sign players and were doing well. That’s not the best option for Barcelona. Manager Flick wanted a centre-back to replace the long-term absentee Christensen, but the market was unable to offer a good player for this position.
The player wanted to leave Saudi Arabia.
Cancelo’s options had been on the table for some time as he was not happy with his life in Saudi Arabia and wanted to return to European football. Right-back is a position where Flick has not doubled up, so Barcelona had a gap in position. However, the team was shut down. Christensen’s injury reopened this possibility and Cancelo was once again offered to the Catalan club.
versatility
Cancelo’s advantage is that he is a player who knows the club well and, although he is not a central defender, his versatility to play on either flank gives the German manager options. Gerard Martin will remain as central defender and Kounde could play there in an emergency, with Cancelo covering that position if needed. In this situation, Barcelona decided to sign the Portuguese player.
Rented until June
The agreement is a good one for the Catalan club. Cancelo joins on loan until the end of the season and will be paid a proportionate share of Christensen’s contract as allowed by regulations. In other words, the addition of a full-back does not require any additional cost for Barcelona. The agreement is expected to be formally announced in the coming days.
Contract and medical certificate
On the one hand, contracts between all parties need to be resolved. A medical certificate is currently being prepared and a medical report will be sent to La Liga at the same time, which will allow them to give the go-ahead for the surgery, which could not take place on Tuesday as it was a public holiday in Spain. Barcelona are on deadline as they still have a week to make the contract valid
