When a footballer signs for Barça, they never really leave completely. There are always pending details, buy-back options, sales percentages...
In this case, he cost 31 million in 2020. He arrived at Camp Nou from Sporting Braga at just 20 years old.
Messi Didn't Like His Company
He signed for five years with a release clause of 500 million that was never activated.
In his first season, he didn't manage to convince. He played 43 matches, almost all incomplete, and barely scored three goals.
Messi didn't like his company and in his second season, he was loaned with a purchase option to Wolverhampton. But the season ended, and the English club returned him to Barça, which loaned him again to Sporting Portugal.
3 million for a one-year loan and 7 more to keep him permanently. And Francisco Trincão parted ways with FC Barcelona... but not forever.
Three years after his return to Portugal, he's back in the spotlight. Last night, he qualified Portugal for the Nations League Final Four with a brace.
His performance throughout the season has put him in the market's spotlight. Joan Laporta is very interested in things going very well for him.
He Can Return for 25 Million
Barça has a buy-back option of 25 million euros. They retain 50% of his rights in a future transfer starting from the 10 million Sporting paid for him.
Barça is not interested in his return and values better the possibility of recovering him to sell him again. That is, paying the 25 million they have signed for his return to Barça and then looking for a club willing to pay more than 50 million.
The price would be 60 million, and Joan Laporta has Jorge Mendes, his agent and a good friend of the club, going around Europe to place his product.
Trincão has a good reputation in Italy (Milan and Roma) and in the Premier League (City and United). Jorge Mendes is working there looking for a deal for Barça. ç
Transfermarket values him at 27 million in the market, but Laporta is convinced he can get more for him. If Mendes presents an offer over 50 million, Barça will pay 25 to recover and sell him.
This season, he has 11 goals and 15 assists. Figures far from what he offered at FC Barcelona, where he didn't succeed.