Joao Cancelo to Barcelona: The behind-the-scenes story of the secret dinner that ruined the Inter deal
In a dramatic turn of events that embodies the excitement of the winter transfer market, Spanish press reports have revealed exciting behind-the-scenes details that changed the course of Portuguese star Joao Cancelo, the right-back of Al-Hilal, bringing him closer to returning to Barcelona instead of moving to the Italian league via Inter Milan.
Sources confirmed that Barcelona's sporting director, the Portuguese Deco, recently indicated that Cancelo is about to travel to the Catalan city to finalize his transfer on a six-month loan, in a deal that stole the spotlight at the last minute.
Inter Milan... The lost agreement
According to a report published by the Spanish newspaper AS, titled "Cancelo and the Decisive Dinner in Dubai," Inter Milan had already finalized all the details of the loan agreement for the player. The Italian club, looking to strengthen its right flank with a player possessing international experience and attacking capabilities suited to the 3-5-2 formation commonly used in Serie A, was confident of securing the deal before external factors intervened and changed the equation.
Dubai: A stage for major transformations
The major turning point occurred in Dubai, specifically on New Year's Eve. Reports indicate that an informal meeting between Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, was the key to changing the player's destination.
Dubai, particularly during the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, is a global hub for sports decision-making, where an elite group of player agents and club presidents gather, making it a fertile environment for making major deals and rearranging matters away from the official offices in Europe.
Mendes' adventure and Laporta's green light
Jorge Mendes, known as the "super agent" and with a long-standing and close relationship with the Barcelona management, used his meeting with Laporta to raise the idea of bringing Cancelo back to the Blaugrana. Despite the sensitive timing and the player's imminent move to Inter, Mendes took the risk of bringing up the subject, receiving an immediate response from Laporta, who gave the green light to proceed with the deal, given the team's urgent need for a world-class full-back.
Factional power struggles within Barcelona
Despite presidential approval, the newspaper indicated that the deal did not have unanimous support within the Catalan club. The sporting committee, headed by Deco, had reservations or perhaps alternative plans, but the desire of the top management and the considerable influence of Mendes ultimately decided in favor of Cancelo's return.
Artistic value and impact of the deal
From a technical standpoint, Cancelo's arrival represents a significant addition to Barcelona. The player possesses considerable experience in the top five European leagues and boasts tactical flexibility that allows him to play as a right or left full-back, and even move into midfield to contribute to building attacks – a style that perfectly aligns with Barcelona's attacking philosophy.
The Barcelona coach welcomed the move, praising the Al-Hilal player's potential, stating: "Cancelo is a top-class player with a wealth of experience. If he joins us, I will be extremely happy." This deal underscores the continued appeal of Barcelona's project despite economic challenges, and the club's ability to attract stars thanks to its strong connections in the agent market.
