Joao Cancelo reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona beyond the current season, which means he wishes to leave Manchester City.
Joao Cancelo certainly does not have a future at Manchester City unless Pep Guardiola makes a dramatic decision to leave and the new incoming manager decides to test the Portuguese star. As quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, the versatile full-back reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona beyond his loan spell that ends in the summer.
Cancelo said, “I don’t know anything, but I would like to stay here. I grew up admiring Ronaldinho’s Barça, my idol. For me, it is a pride to wear this shirt, and there aren’t many other clubs I can go to, right?”
Just over a year ago, Cancelo fell out with Guardiola as Manchester City wasted little time in sanctioning a loan move to Bayern Munich. While he might have still received the winner’s medals for his part in the club’s treble-winning season alongside his Bundesliga medal, the 29-year-old Manchester City ace has no future.
Some reports have insisted Manchester City want €40 million for the defender, something Barcelona are unwilling to pay. Guardiola is already planning on signing a new right back in the summer, effectively ending Cancelo’s career at the Etihad.
Deco confirmed Barcelona’s desire to sign Cancelo permanently but did not explain how the club plans to finance a move. The 29-year-old Manchester City ace’s contract at the Etihad lasts until 2027, which gives Guardiola’s side the upper hand in negotiations ahead of the summer.
While Cancelo has the desire and ambition to continue playing for Barcelona, the chances of that happening are 50-50.
Can Barcelona afford Joao Cancelo?
While the Catalans are not interested in paying as much as €40 million for the 29-year-old Manchester City ace, they are keen to pay less than €25 million, as per a report. Barcelona are under serious financial constraints that would restrict them from making some big signings in the summer.
Cancelo has been an important player, but any move will depend on Manchester City’s desire to let him leave on the cheap. The Premier League giants have always sold their good players for fair value and will not sanction another loan that only diminishes Cancelo’s overall value.
Hence, Barcelona will find it very difficult to sign Cancelo permanently, although that’s not to say the 29-year-old Manchester City ace will have any shortages of offers.
