Breaking news! The mother of a former Barça player makes it official, he returns to Camp Nou in January

While Barça fans are focused on the team's role in the Spanish Super Cup, Deco is still working flat out in the offices. The sporting director has received Hansi Flick's assignment to reinforce the defensive area after Christensen's long-term absence. The objective is to bring in a versatile defender, useful from day one and economically affordable for a club that is still maneuvering with the calculator in hand.

In this winter transfer window, Barça can't afford to improvise or spend just for the sake of spending. Flick initially wanted a center-back, but the context and the urgency have pushed the club toward a solution that will provide immediate performance and tactical versatility. There a name that Camp Nou already knows appears, as well as the Barça locker room and the demands of playing under the spotlight.

Deco has been assessing several options in recent weeks, but the board gradually leaned toward a specific deal. Yes, because Barça has practically finalized the homecoming of Joao Cancelo. His desire was to return to Camp Nou and it seems that he has achieved it after the words of Malcom's mother, the former Barça player and Joao's current teammate in Saudi Arabia.

Malcom's mother makes Joao Cancelo's signing for Barça official

On social media a message from Malcom's mother, the former Barça player, bidding farewell to Joao Cancelo and taking his landing at Camp Nou for granted has gone viral. That detail, by itself, doesn't serve as official confirmation, but it does fit with the rumors of recent days. In addition, Deco himself confirmed yesterday that "we are finalizing the agreement, the medical examination is still pending, but Joao will arrive in Barcelona soon".

The structure of the deal is also quite clear. Deco has closed Joao Cancelo's loan for the next 6 months (6 meses) for 4 million euros. In addition, several sources indicate that Barça has been able to fit in the arrival of the Portuguese full-back thanks to the margin caused by Christensen's injury, a key detail in the fair play.

Joao Cancelo is exactly what Barça need

From a footballing standpoint, Joao Cancelo is a luxury reinforcement for the scenario Flick is facing. He can play on both flanks and that opens up a huge tactical range. The deal makes sense because of that versatility and because, within the limitations of the market, it is the best solution available.

However, his return has several implications. Joao Cancelo is an attack-minded full-back who needs structure behind him so that his risk doesn't turn into a gaping hole, and Barça will have to protect him with clear mechanisms. If Flick manages to balance his forward runs with cover and well-coordinated pressing, the impact can be immediate.