Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona still intending to sign Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo'

Felix and Cancelo are on loan at Camp Nou from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively, with the pair both regulars for Xavi's side during the 2023-24 campaign.

Barcelona's ongoing financial problems had led to claims that permanent deals for the pair would be difficult this summer.

However, Laporta has said that long-term deals for the duo will be explored, while it is possible that the loans could be extended with a view to the moves becoming permanent further down the line.

«We are willing to keep both of them, whether with the formula transfer setting a purchase price or continue with the same conditions that we have now with the respective clubs,» he told Barca One.

«Their cases are quite similar, but Cancelo is much further along in the operation in terms of price, with Joao Felix has not yet decided on the price and we are waiting.

»We want Joao to continue at Barca, he has exceptional class and we also want Cancelo to continue, he has become a player who is a regular starter."

Felix has scored nine goals and registered five assists in 34 appearances for Barcelona this season, including a goal in his loan club's 3-0 victory over Atletico in La Liga last weekend.

The 24-year-old has another five years left to run on his contract at Wanda Metropolitano, but Atletico are understood to be keen to sell him this summer, as his relationship with the capital club's head coach Diego Simeone is believed to have broken down.

Cancelo, meanwhile, has made 32 appearances for Barcelona this season, scoring four goals and registering four assists in