Barcelona legend and newly appointed sporting director Deco has revealed what Portuguese duo Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix need to do to earn permanent moves to the club.
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One of the first pieces of business the ex-playmaker orchestrated as Barca's new head of recruitment was the acquisition of his compatriots.
Cancelo and Felix joined from Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, respectively, on the final day of the transfer window as the 46-year-old finalised the assembling of Xavi's squad for the 2023/24 campaign.
The Portugal internationals had been deemed surplus to requirements at their parent clubs, and while they were believed to be eager to make the move to Catalonia, Deco has insisted they both will need to work hard if they are to call the Camp Nou home on a permanent basis.
"They arrived at the last minute, and they are players who contribute a lot to the squad," he said, as per Goal.
"They have to demonstrate their abilities here. Barca has the ability to inspire. We expect a lot from them, but the season will tell us how they progress things.
"Neither Cancelo nor Joao Felix have a purchase option. It is a simple one-year transfer. If they do well, we will try to retain them, but for now, it is a transfer."
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Barca are known to still be in a precarious financial position, and when he was asked if the duo took pay cuts in order for the moves to materialise, Deco answered: "Everyone has made efforts to come. I can't tell you the players' contracts, but LALIGA imputes different things."
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