What would Joao Cancelo's presence mean for FC Barcelona's 2024/25 campaign?

Since Cancelo's loan period ended on 30th June, the club and Cancelo both have been dreaming of a reunion next season. Cancelo, being a through and through supporter of Barca ideology and the Blaugrana club lacking a full-back of the caliber of Joao Cancelo, it seems that the recent updates would be favorable for both Barca and Cancelo.

Recent reports had hinted at the possibility of Barcelona being confident in signing Joao Cancelo on a potential loan deal. Cancelo's agent, Jorge Mendes, is advancing in talks with Man City, recognizing the player's choice of wanting only Barça. As per the recent scenario, the most viable option is a loan with a non-obligatory purchase option that would be favorable for the player as well as Barca.

What would Joao Cancelo's presence mean for FC Barcelona's 2024/25 campaign?

However, some recent reports from Diario SPORT have emerged pointing out that Cancelo will have to lower his salary if he wants to return to Barça. Given Barca's financial conditions, the club would not want to pay a loan fee or the entirety of his €14 million salary. But, as mentioned above, chances are that the star full-back would comply with the salary offered by the club, making him return to FC Barcelona.

Analyzing from Barcelona's perspective, Cancelo's loan deal could prove immensely significant in their new project. Reports suggest that the Blaugrana club has started to consider the Portuguese star as the starting right-back, appreciating the defender's previous campaign heroics for FC Barcelona.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has conveyed that he admires the full-back a lot and is currently one of the specialists in the role. Not only would Cancelo's presence in the Barcelona backline give stability to the overall squad, but it would also provide Flick with the extra cushion to have much greater squad depth.

A wizard on both flanks, accompanied by significant goal contributions on the front, Joao Cancelo could be the key to Barcelona's successful 2024/25 campaign. His presence in the right-back position shifts Jules Kounde to his conventional center-back role, and Balde on the left and Pau Cubarsi could easily make a reliable back-four for Hansi Flick next season.

Thus, FC Barcelona needs a reliable full-back like Joao Cancelo, and it is certain that the club won't mind negotiating to gather the star till their financial extremes.