Barcelona and Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo have reportedly agreed on personal terms, although the transfer fee is an issue.
According to a report by Caught Offside, personal terms will not be an issue for Barcelona or Joao Cancelo. The Catalan giants want to complete a permanent move for the out-of-favour Manchester City full-back in the summer transfer window. However, finding an agreement on the transfer fee will be a tall order, with Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq ready to pounce.
The Joao Cancelo situation
Joao Cancelo resurrected his stuttering career with an exceptional 2023/24 campaign with FC Barcelona. The Portuguese international was top-class in the first few years of his spell with Manchester City, going from strength to strength and establishing himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.
However, a run-in with Pep Guardiola in December 2022 sealed Cancelo’s fate at Manchester City, and he has spent the last 18 months away from the Etihad on loan. Bayern Munich completed the first temporary loan deal in the winter transfer window of 2023 before Barcelona sealed a season-long move on Deadline Day of last summer’s transfer window.
The 30-year-old was a mainstay at the back for Barcelona, turning out 42 times while chipping in with four goals and five assists. However, Cancelo’s market value has steadily dropped in the last 18 months and currently stands at €25 million. Meanwhile, Barcelona will aim to complete a permanent move for the Manchester City outcast in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona return on the cards?
Barcelona’s interest in sealing a permanent move for Joao Cancelo is understandable. The Portuguese international was top-notch for the Blaugrana in the 2023/24 season and can finally end the club’s wait for stability in the right-back position after nearly a decade.
The latest update has brought some good news for Barcelona fans, with personal terms not an issue. However, finding an agreement on the transfer fee with Manchester City will be a tall order for the Blaugrana, with the Premier League champions unwilling to budge from their valuation.
The situation has not gone unnoticed, with Saudi Pro League bigwigs Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq prepared to pounce. However, Cancelo is keen on returning to Barcelona and is reportedly ready to reject all offers to seal a permanent move to the Catalan club. But the deal seeing the light of day will depend on an agreement on the transfer fee.
