Barcelona prioritising Joao Cancelo swoop

Barcelona will reportedly prioritise signing Joao Cancelo from Manchester City this summer if they part ways with Ousmane Dembele.

According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Joao Cancelo is the subject of interest from Barcelona. And the reigning La Liga champions view the 29-year-old multi-time Premier League winner as a priority summer target. But they will only launch the offensive for the Manchester City full-back if they part ways with Ousmane Dembele.

The rumour might appear odd at first reading. But with Barcelona’s financial struggles showing no signs of ending, they need to be careful about the outlay on new signings. So it is hardly surprising that the three new arrivals this summer have hardly cost the Blaugrana anything.

However, while Cancelo is a priority target for Barcelona, he will not come cheap. The Portuguese international lost prominence at Manchester City in the second half of the 2022/23 season. In addition, Bayern Munich did not exercise the option to sign him permanently this summer. So the player’s future is uncertain heading into the 2023/24 season.

The 29-year-old has won mutiple Premier League titles with Manchester City, among other honours. And he has shown promising form in the pre-season campaign with the Citizens. But the Premier League champions are undecided about Cancelo’s future. And the situation has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona.

In case Ousmane Dembélé leaves Barça and accepts Paris Saint-Germain move, part of the budget could be used for the new right back with João Cancelo as top priority 🔵🔴 #FCB

🇪🇸 Iván Fresneda is the other option in Barça list.

…Cancelo has always been and remains the priority. pic.twitter.com/9PAtp8PYz2

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2023

The Catalan giants are keen on solving their long-standing right-back issues this summer. Several candidates have thus emerged on Barcelona’s radar over a move this summer. And Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Ivan Fresneda is also a target for the Blaugrana. But Barcelona will prioritise securing Cancelo’s services if they have the required funds to land him.

But while the Portuguese international is Barcelona’s top right-back target, they can only sign him if they raise funds through sales. But with Ousmane Dembele on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain, the money might soon arrive on the table.

It will be interesting to see if Barcelona quickly press ahead with the move to secure Cancelo’s services following Dembele’s departure. For now, the 29-year-old Premier League winner remains the priority target for the Blaugrana this summer.