Barcelona sporting director Deco is receiving widespread praise following the successful winter return of Joao Cancelo, with critics now being told they owe the club an official apology. Despite concerns that the Portuguese full-back had passed his prime during his stint in Saudi Arabia, his immediate impact under Hansi Flick has silenced the doubters. Deco has highlighted Cancelo's profound emotional connection to the club as a primary catalyst for the deal.

Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday that moved them back to the summit of La Liga as they took advantage of Real Madrid's defeat to Osasuna 24 hours earlier. First-half goals from midfield duo Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong put the hosts in control before Fermin Lopez scored a stunner on a day when Joao Cancelo was the real star of the show.

January is a notoriously bad time for buyers because nobody ever wants to sell top talent midway through the season. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Some clubs need to raise funds to balance the books, while others can be left with not option but to unload an unhappy player who has made it clear that he wants to join a stronger side.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has offered a sympathetic but guarded response to the dismissal of his Real Madrid counterpart Xabi Alonso, insisting that while he maintains a "very good relationship" with the Basque coach, the ruthless nature of the decision is simply "part of football." Alonso was sacked this week midway through his debut season in charge following the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Flick's team.

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Joao Cancelo on loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Cancelo's move back to Catalunya, where he spent the 2023-24 season, was initially announced earlier on Tuesday, but the club had to delete all traces of this unveiling as the transfer had not actually been completed yet.