Deco discusses if summer acquisitions took wage cuts to leave Atletico Madrid and Manchester City while Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo face challenges to obtain permanent Barcelona moves.

Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo have been pushed by Barcelona’s sports director Deco to get permanent transfers to the team.

Deco has challenged the Portuguese combination of Felix and Cancelo to earn permanent transfers at the conclusion of the season after they transferred from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, respectively, to Barcelona on one-year loan agreements on the final day of the summer transfer window.

The Liga champions weren’t in a position to give expensive contracts to new players, so the Barca director was also questioned about if the two players took wage cuts to accomplish their loan transfers.

When quizzed on Felix and Cancelo at his official presentation as Barca’s new sporting director, Deco told reporters: “They arrived at the last minute and they are players who contribute a lot to the squad. 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.”

Asked if the Portugal team-mates took pay cuts to finalise their respective loan moves, Deco replied: “Everyone has made efforts to come. I can’t tell you the players’ contracts, but La Liga imputes different things.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Deco also fielded questions on his former team-mate Lionel Messi, who snubbed a chance to reunite with Barcelona after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine World Cup winner went to Inter Miami in MLS instead, but Deco holds no bitter feelings over his final decision.

“Leo is a friend. I am very fond of him. Now I talk to him less, because he is far away,” he said. “We all wanted to have Leo but it has not been possible due to situations that we already know. He is the best footballer in the history of the club. club. I see him happy and enjoying himself at Inter Miami. As a Barcelona fan and a fan of Leo, I wish him the best.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:@FCBarcelona_esGetty/GOALGetty/GOAL

WHAT NEXT? Xavi’s Barcelona side will be next seen in action against Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday, with Felix and Cancelo both in line to make their debuts.