Barcelona have signed defender Joao Cancelo on a free transfer, the Spanish champions said Thursday.

Barcelona on Tuesday announced the signing of Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri from Premier League side Manchester City.

Barcelona have reached a deal with Manchester City to sign Spanish World Cup winner Rodri, a source from the Catalan club told AFP Sunday.

Spain's top flight kicks off the 2026/27 season on Saturday with Alaves hosting Getafe, although defending champions Barcelona and Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are not in action yet.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said "anything can happen" amid reports La Liga champions Barcelona have bid to sign World Cup winner Rodri.

The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, has not held a head coaching job since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.

Liverpool have signed Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, the Premier League club announced on Monday, as they moved to strengthen an injury-ravaged defence.

Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's childhood club Newell's Old Boys announced on Saturday.

Manchester City may have already identified their preferred successor to Rodri, with Enzo Fernandez emerging as the name new head coach Enzo Maresca reportedly wants to bring to the Etihad.

Barcelona on Thursday said they would not contest a friendly in Tangiers due to "uncertainty", a week after an unprecedented migrant rush from Morocco to Spain's territory of Ceuta.

"Today Barcelona is closer to being able to consider this transfer than yesterday. We have now secured the player's agreement to open negotiations with Manchester City," the source said, confirming Spanish press reports.

According to a BBC Sport report, Manchester City midfielder Rodri is facing one of the biggest decisions of his career, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona ready to pounce if he decides against extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen joined Ajax on loan for the 2026/27 season on Tuesday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Monday the Spanish champions must reinforce their attack after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford, and with question marks over Ferran Torres's future.

Aston Villa and Manchester City each have five players in the final four, while Chelsea and Crystal Palace have four apiece, underlining the depth of talent spread across the English Premier League.

And decades later, that mischievous prince remains. He plays with the singular, pure focus of a child with a ball at his feet, bringing an ethereal beauty and grace back to a hyper-mechanised sport.

One of the most exciting talents set to feature in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Barcelona’s Spanish winger Lamine Yamal has been named LaLiga Player of the season, the Spanish league announced on Friday.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains optimistic that forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will be fit for their World Cup opener despite both players missing the end of the club season with hamstring injuries.

Barcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United on Friday, for a fee that could rise to 80 million euros ($93 million).

Barcelona reached an agreement with Newcastle on Wednesday for the transfer of England international Anthony Gordon, the La Liga champions told AFP, confirming reports in the Spanish press.