Joao Cancelo is ready to reject overtures of other clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea to continue at Barcelona, as a deal is in progress.
According to Sport, Barcelona may have the upper hand in the Joao Cancelo transfer saga as the player prefers a stay. Chelsea and Arsenal are a few of the clubs keen on the €40 million-rated Manchester City outcast, as his decision could allow the Catalans to have power in negotiations as talks are already underway.
Arsenal Chelsea suffered Joao Cancelo blow
Joao Cancelo has proven his worth as one of the best attacking full-backs in modern football. The on-loan Barcelona defender has been showcasing his talents in Spain this season and wants to stay for the longer term. The Catalans are already discussing a move with his parent club, Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s fractious relationship with the Portuguese international led to his departure 18 months ago on loan to Bayern Munich. Last summer, he moved to Barcelona on another temporary deal without any buy option included. The Catalans are so far refusing to pay the €40 million demanded by Man City, which has led to speculation that the club will consider offers from elsewhere.
Chelsea has shown an interest in recruiting the experienced full-back while Arsenal are back in the race for the €40 million-rated defender. Mikel Arteta had long admired the Portuguese international and knew him well from his time at Man City, where the current Gunners boss was Guardiola’s assistant.
Chelsea could also ponder making a big money offer to shore up a problematic position with an experienced player of Cancelo’s ilk. However, the €40 million-rated defender might prefer a stay at Barcelona, which would give the La Liga giants unprecedented power in negotiations with Manchester City as talks are already underway.
Barcelona in Cancelo talks with Man City
Barcelona is open to negotiating with Manchester City, and many options have been discussed. The Premier League champions may have wanted to cash in on Cancelo, as they anticipate offers from fellow English sides as well as some Saudi outfits.
However, Cancelo’s insistence gives Barcelona the power to negotiate a lower fee or even another loan with a fixed option to buy him in the summer of 2025. Hence, for now, the Catalans are in the driving seat for the Portuguese international, who would be open to penning a new contract beyond even 2027 to stay at Barcelona.
Logic tells you that he is too old for even a short 4 year contract that would take him well into his 30s on high wages, that would be a bad investment. If he was available as a free agent, then yes, or even a swap deal, old player for another old player, like a swap for Partey or Jorginho, then yes, otherwise a bad investment for the long term.