Analysis: Barcelona's stance on Joao Cancelo perfectly epitomizes the club's strange transfer strategy
It's safe to say that Barcelona have struggled in the last five years or so since their financial struggles really started to take hold. Under the presidency of Joan Laporta, they tried to work their way back to normality, but it was a very slow process.
Ibrahim Balde is on trial at Barça Atlètic. He is a central defender born in 2004 in Ivory Coast. @FCBarcelonaB
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 10, 2024
Some will be restored this summer, with the expectation of returning to the 1:1 rule of the League. However, Barcelona are still a long way from being able to compete financially with Europe's elite – and in particular their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.
The truth is that Barcelona is not doing much to help themselves with their struggles, even if they have been deep in the mud. In recent years, they have managed to spend a lot on many occasions, and this has caused “lever” to be used to ensure that these offers can happen.
However, when they spent big, they failed to sign the right players (for the most part). That has continued this summer, with the recent addition of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.
Olmo was a first choice for Joan Laporta and Deco to be added to Hansi Flick's team, despite the fact that Barcelona already had four attacking midfielders: Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Ilkay Gundogan and Pablo Torre. It can be used on the left wing, where it is likely to play, but it is not a natural option – unlike the player who was signed instead of, Nico Williams.
Williams would be a statement signing for Barcelona, and a great use of the limited funds they have. However, it seems highly unlikely that he will join, which is why the decision was made to go all out for Olmo.
It's not just this deal that shows why Barcelona's transfer market activity has been incredibly questionable. In recent days, the sale of Julian Araujo he was negotiated for a fee of €10m – not too bad for a player who looked out of favor under Flick. However, for some reason, most of those funds could be used to bring Joao Cancelo back to the club.
Recently it was reported that Barcelona have submitted a loan offer for Cancelo – loan fee of 7 million euros with an optional purchase clause of 20 million euros. Therefore, the club would like to reinvest 70% of the funds they will receive from selling Araujo towards the re-signing of a player they do not need, and who cannot be bought permanently.
It's not like Cancelo had a great season in 2023-24. He was very doubtful in the big games, when he had several high-profile errors (against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, in particular). It has been shown that he cannot be trusted, so it would make more sense to count on the players who are already at Flick's disposal.
Cancelo can play at left-back and right-back, but Barcelona are covered in those positions: they have Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martin and Alex Valle on the left, and Jules Kounde, Hector Fort and Valle on the right. This proves that there is little or no need for the Portuguese to return, and even pursue.
It is clear that Barcelona they have to be incredibly savvy with the limited funds they have, but blowing €7m on a loan for Cancelo would be staggering. Fortunately, he was rejected by Manchester City, and if they had any sense, he would be leaving now. They should use that money to address areas that need strengthening, or save it for the future.
