Barcelona are reportedly working on a way to keep influential defender Joao Cancelo at the club beyond his loan spell from Manchester City.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Barcelona reportedly want to take steps towards signing Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo in the January transfer window, with the Portuguese duo prioritising staying at the Camp Nou.
Cancelo has been a success story so far for Barcelona since arriving on the summer transfer deadline day from Manchester City after ending last season at Bayern Munich on a similar spell. Still regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world, it is only really because of a fallout with Catalan boss Pep Guardiola that he is no longer at the Etihad Stadium.
Due to their Financial Fair Play issues in recent years, Barcelona could only take the 29-year-old Portuguese international on loan and not on a permanent deal. But three months in, and the right-back has already convinced the Blaugrana hierarchy to make his transfer a long-term arrangement after the season ends.
Needless to say, Cancelo has made a strong start to life in Barcelona. The right-back has taken little to no time to adapt to Xavi Hernandez’s team and is an undisputed starter under the Spanish tactician. He plays an integral part of the team’s attacks and even drifts into central spaces to orchestrate the play as an inverted full-back.
The 29-year-old was undoubtedly the star of the show in Barça’s Champions League victory over Porto in midweek. He once again demonstrated his versatility playing as a left-back, contributing with a goal and an assist.
As such, they will try to agree on a formula with Manchester City so that Cancelo can stay beyond the season. It will not be easy given Barcelona’s tight budget, but the player will do his part to extend his stay, as he does not see a return to the Etihad as an option on his table.
The Portugal international will be 30 years old by the time Barcelona try to buy him, but they evidently believe he has a few years left in him at the top level. City value their prized asset at around €25 million.
However, Barca are not willing to meet those figures, especially as they would be required to cover his high salary in full, which they haven’t done this time around as Cancelo waived some of his pay. Instead, they will look to lower City’s asking price to a bargain €15 million.
