Earlier today, Barcelona officially announced the departure of three players from the Catalan capital – Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo and Marcos Alonso.

While the Spanish full-back’s departure has always been on the cards, the Catalans have been pushing to secure the continuity of the Portuguese duo for a long time now.

Their financial situation, however, has complicated the situation.

Barcelona’s announcement of the departures, thus, does not reflect the end of their hopes to see Cancelo and Felix in the Blaugrana colours next season but only arrives as a formal announcement considering the official end of their contract.

Talks underway for Felix and Cancelo

Ever-reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed in a recent update that Barcelona are indeed keeping the window open to both Felix and Cancelo’s continuity.

The Azulgranas have engaged in talks with the players’ common agent, Jorge Mendes, and the plan is still to see them in Barcelona for next season.

Discussions with Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, meanwhile, continue to progress.

The big hurdle for Joan Laporta and Co, however, is that both clubs wish to sell the players on a permanent basis this summer. Should Barcelona secure another loan, it will thus arrive with a mandatory purchase clause in all probability.

The financial demands

Manchester City see Cancelo to have played a positive role in Barcelona’s last campaign and thus refuse to lower their demands for the player. Notably, they insist that the Catalans pay his salary of £180,000 per week which would be a big hurdle.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are said to be asking for at least €60 million for a permanent transfer. Needless to say, the valuation is inflated considering the mixed campaign he enjoyed last season.

The coming weeks will be critical in deciding the duo’s future, and in the process, Hansi Flick’s plans for next season.