Deadline day: Joao Felix and Cancelo join Barcelona on loan

• FC Barcelona reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix on loan
• A few minutes after Felix’s announcement, Barcelona signed Manchester City right back Joao Cancelo also on loan

FC Barcelona reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix on loan. The Blaugranes also signed Joao Cancelo from Manchester City on loan. According to reports, both loans will be until the end of the season.

Joao Felix arrives at Barcelona following the exit of Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain and Ansu Fati to Brighton. Whereas Dembele’s transfer is permanent, Fati has joined the Premier League side on loan.

Joao Felix has joined FC Barcelona. Photo/ DayFR Euro.

According to FC Barcelona’s official website, there is no option for a permanent transfer on Felix’s deal.

“FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Joao Felix until 30 June 2024. There is no option for a permanent transfer. The Club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt.” Barca’s statement reads.

Joao Felix caught the attention of the football world during the 2018-19 season when he made his first team debut for Benfica. The youngster scored 15 goals and provided seven assists to help Benfica win the Portuguese league title. That year, he was named winner of the Golden Boy.

Following his impressive performance, Felix secured a transfer to Atletico Madrid becoming the most expensive signing in the club’s history. He has since made over 100 appearances for Atletico Madrid.

But due to differences with Atletico manager Diego Simeone, Felix spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea. He expressed his desires to remain at Chelsea after the end of his loan spell but new manager Mauricio Pochettino didn’t have plans for him.

During this summer transfer window, Joao Felix expressed his long-held desire to play for FC Barcelona. The 23-year-old now has the chance to impress the Catalans this season.

Cancelo Joins Barcelona

Joao Cancelo is another big signing FC Barcelona made on transfer deadline day. His signing was made only a few minutes after Felix’s announcement. Cancelo and Felix, who are teammates at international level, are now also teammates at club level.

Joao Cancelo. Photo/ Football Transfers.

Cancelo joined Manchester City from Italian giants Juventus in the summer of 2019. He went on to play an integral part for the Cytizens as they won two Premier League titles in 2021 and 2022. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

But just like his compatriot Felix, Cancelo also had a fall out with his manager at Manchester City. As a result, the talented right back spent the second half of last season on loan. He was part of Bayern Munich’s squad that won the Bundesliga title last season.

FC Barcelona’s website describes Cancelo as a right back and a whole lot more. Xavi Hernandez is well aware that Cancelo is more than an average right back.