Jorge Mendes holds key Barcelona talks as club prepare to unveil Karim Adeyemi

Barcelona have stepped up their summer rebuild with a high-level meeting between super-agent Jorge Mendes and senior club officials, on the eve of Karim Adeyemi’s expected presentation as the Spanish side’s latest signing.

The Portuguese agent was in the Catalan city on Wednesday evening for wide-ranging talks over several current and potential Barcelona players, according to Catalan daily SPORT journalist Carlos Monfort.

The discussions came as the club finalised preparations to present German forward Karim Adeyemi as a new Barcelona player on Thursday, underlining a pivotal 48 hours in the La Liga side’s transfer window.

Dinner summit with Deco and Laporta adviser

Monfort reported that Mendes had dinner with Barcelona sporting director Deco and Alejandro Echevarria, a close adviser to club president Joan Laporta.

The meeting, held in Barcelona on Wednesday night, focused on multiple transfer-market files involving players represented by Mendes and others linked to the club’s plans for the coming season.

Among the main topics was the future of young midfielder Marc Casado, whose role in the first team structure remains under evaluation as Barcelona look to balance financial constraints with a commitment to promoting academy graduates.

Cancelo’s permanent return on the agenda

Central to the talks was the situation of Portugal international Joao Cancelo, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Barca from Saudi club Al Hilal.

The parties discussed the possibility of bringing Cancelo back to Barcelona on a permanent basis after his positive impact during his stint at the Camp Nou. The defender’s versatility and attacking contribution have made him a priority target as the club reshape their squad.

Negotiations over Cancelo are complicated by his contractual situation and Barcelona’s tight financial fair play limits, but Mendes’ presence in the city has been interpreted in Spain as a sign that both sides are exploring formulas to strike a deal.

Balde and Fort futures calm – for now

The report added that Mendes also represents Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde and young defender Hector Fort, two of the most highly regarded prospects to emerge from La Masia in recent years.

However, their situations are not considered urgent at this stage, with no immediate decisions required on their futures. Both players are currently seen as part of the club’s medium- to long-term planning, and talks around them are expected to be more about monitoring than radical change.

Mendes’ Madrid connections linger in background

The meeting in Barcelona took place against the backdrop of Mendes’ long-standing and influential ties with arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The agent “was behind the deal for the return of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho to the royal club earlier this summer”, Monfort reported – a move which has further strengthened Mendes’ already deep relationship with the hierarchy at the Bernabeu.

Those dual connections highlight the agent’s unique position at the highest level of European football, advising key figures at both of Spain’s dominant clubs while managing an extensive portfolio of elite players.

Crucial phase in Barca’s summer strategy

For Barcelona, the combination of Adeyemi’s imminent arrival and Mendes’ in-person talks marks a crucial phase in their summer strategy, as they attempt to assemble a competitive squad within strict financial limits and amid intense domestic and European competition.

While the club has yet to officially comment on the details of the meeting, the presence of Deco and Echevarria alongside Mendes indicates that decisions taken over the coming days could shape not only the composition of the squad for next season, but also the medium-term direction of the Catalan giants’ transfer policy.