In a bizarre turn of events, Barcelona have deleted two statements from their official website announcing the departures of loan stars Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.
The statements, which were published earlier on Sunday, confirmed that both players would be returning to their parent clubs, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively, at the end of their loan spells.
The sudden U-turn has left many confused, with renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that negotiations over the futures of both players are still ongoing. “The situation surrounding Cancelo and Felix remains open,” Romano said.
Both players made significant contributions to Barcelona’s campaign in 2023/24, with Cancelo making 42 appearances in all competitions and Felix playing 44 times. Felix provided 16 goals, either scoring or assisting, while Cancelo provided nine. New manager Hansi Flick is reportedly interested in re-signing Felix on a permanent basis.
It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will attempt to strike permanent deals for both players or sign them on loan again. The club’s interest in Hull City star Jaden Philogene adds another layer of complexity to their transfer plans.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is certain – Barcelona’s transfer plans are in disarray, and fans are eagerly awaiting clarity on the futures of Cancelo and Felix.
