Spanish giants Barcelona have, late on Friday, sealed deadline day loan deals for not one, but two headline stars.
First through the door at the Camp Nou, as expected, comes Joao Felix.
The name of frontman Felix has of course long found itself front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital, after the Portuguese openly professed his desire to link up with Xavi Hernandez’s troops earlier in the summer.
Not part of the plans of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, negotiations, in turn, were kicked into gear between the respective boards at Atleti and Barca.
And, as alluded to above, on Friday evening, the Blaugrana have at long last gotten their man.
As per reports from a whole host of Europe’s most reliable transfer journalists, Felix has taken his talents to the Camp Nou on a dry loan, through the summer of 2024.
Joao Felix during the La Liga EA Sports 2023/24 match between Atletico de Madrid and Granada at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on AUGUST 14, 2023 (Alamy Stock Photo)
Also set to spend the season ahead plying his trade in Catalunya will be another Joao, in the form of Cancelo.
Like Felix, full-back Cancelo had long been tipped to make the move to Spain, after making clear to parent club Manchester City his desire to don the famous red and blue.
With the former Juventus man surplus to requirements at The Etihad, the City brass, in turn, recently opened to the prospect of another loan exit for Cancelo.
In turn, late tonight, Barca have snapped the defender up, too, Cancelo expected to quickly establish himself as the first-choice right-back in Xavi’s squad.
He, too, has arrived on a somewhat surprising loan, with no option or obligation to buy.
🚨 Joao Cancelo + Joao Felix moves to Barcelona done. Cancelo joins from Man City while Felix moves from Atletico Madrid. Both straight season-long loan deal, no options to buy. W/ @polballus @GuillermoRai_ @TheAthleticFC #FCBarcelona #MCFC #AtleticoMadrid https://t.co/7fNlOfLM4m
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 1, 2023
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