Decisively, Joan Laporta has placed his fate in the hands of Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese agent who became a trusted man of Florentino Pérez.
Jorge Mendes Negotiates for Álvaro Carreras
That was during the era of Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Portuguese. But many years have passed and now he conducts his business with Joan Laporta.
Jorge Mendes dominates the Portuguese market and has committed to mediating with Benfica to bring the trending full-back, Álvaro Carreras, to Barcelona this summer.
But there is more. Mendes handles the affairs of Ansu Fati, whom Laporta wants to see out of Barça as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Fati doesn't leave, the club will not be able to register any signings in the winter market.
There is money in the coffers. In fact, LaLiga has recognized Barça's right to 1:1 in financial fair play. But for Rashford to be announced next week, Ansu Fati must leave Barça first.
Jorge Mendes will take care of that. Fati doesn't want to leave and is difficult to place due to his physical condition and the 13 million gross he earns in salary. But Jorge Mendes will end up sorting it out and, in return, Laporta will owe him a favor with another of his clients.
Asensio Excites No One at Barça
This is the case of Marco Asensio, the former Real Madrid player who has failed spectacularly at PSG under Luis Enrique's orders.
Asensio is also part of Jorge Mendes's "stable" and right now the agent has a huge interest in getting him out of Paris.
In fact, it is not by chance that his name has been circulating in recent weeks as a possible target for Barça. It is not a signing that excites Laporta, Deco, or Hansi Flick.
Not even his status as a former Madridist is enough to stir intrigue due to his past. Asensio excites no one. He is also not at the level of Lamine Yamal or Raphinha.
But Jorge Mendes must always be heeded. It is even good that he is indebted to Barça. He already tried to place Asensio in 2023, when he was free from Real Madrid, but he went to PSG.
A Signing That Should Not be Ruled out
Barça at that time had just signed Ferran Torres and Raphinha and still had Ousmane Dembélé.
Now Jorge Mendes is back at it, but always negotiating, always giving something in return. You take Asensio and I get Ansu Fati out of here. To Benfica, perhaps?
No one should be surprised if Asensio ends up signing for Barça despite the lack of interest his signing generates. It would be one of those signings that no one understands but has a reason to be. In this exchange, the favor of taking Ansu Fati.