Talks are reportedly ‘advancing’ for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo to join Barcelona this summer, with manager Xavi Hernandez reportedly a big fan of the Portuguese star.
That’s according to today’s report in AS, which is further backed up by Mundo Deportivo, who claim that Barcelona, who are struggling financially at the moment, would sign Joao Cancelo on a ‘free loan’ and pay his full wages.
The report further claims that Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda was reportedly a top target for the Spanish giants, but not all of the decision-makers at Camp Nou were keen on the 20-year-old.
This had led to their attention turning to £180,000-a-week (SalarySport) Cancelo, who spent last season on loan at Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich.
Manchester City and Barcelona in talks over Joao Cancelo transfer
According to the same report from Spanish outlet AS, the ‘tense’ relationship between Xavi Hernandez and City manager Pep Guardiola could well complicate the signing of Cancelo.
Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, reportedly has a good relationship with City’s decision-makers, so he would be tasked with playing a ‘key role’ in the negotiations.
AS also states that talks are advancing between the two parties, although it remains unknown if City would sanction another loan for the 29-year-old, following his loan to Bayern back in January.
Guardiola and Cancelo’s relationship has seemingly been tense since last season, with The Athletic claiming back in January that the player’s poor performances at the World Cup led to issues arising within City due to the full-back’s behaviour when he returned.
Despite Cancelo’s struggles over the past 12 months, he still remains a world-class player. With one goal and seven assists from fullback in his last full season in England back in 2022/2023, there remains a player that can be a useful weapon for any of the big clubs around Europe.
If Barcelona could get the loan deal over the line, it would represent superb business from the Blaugrana who need to spend wisely with their financial situation, still a concern.
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