La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly hopeful of sealing a loan deal for 30-year-old Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Joao Cancelo remains the subject of interest from Barcelona. Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes is working hard to take his compatriot back to the Catalan club before the summer transfer window shuts down, with the Blaugrana growing in confidence, even though Manchester City wanted €25 million to part ways with him.
Joao Cancelo and his woes
Joao Cancelo has been at a crossroads in his career since coming to blows with Pep Guardiola over 18 months ago. The run-in compelled Manchester City to loan the experienced full-back to Bayern Munich, with the player enjoying a solid second half of the 2022/23 season.
Barcelona handed Cancelo an escape route out of Manchester City last summer, completing a season-long loan move on Deadline Day. The 30-year-old enjoyed a top-notch spell with the Blaugrana, chipping in with four goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. However, his temporary stint in Catalonia has ended, and he has returned to Manchester City.
The Premier League champions are keen on getting the Portuguese international off their books and have slapped a price tag of €25 million on him. Saudi Pro League clubs have been ready to meet Manchester City’s valuation and secure Joao Cancelo’s services. However, he has snubbed them, as his heart is set on returning to Barcelona.
Barcelona return on the horizon?
Joao Cancelo has been Barcelona’s top right-back target in this summer’s transfer window. The experienced full-back was exceptional for the Blaugrana last season and emerged as the long-sought right-back solution for the club. So, it is hardly surprising that they want to bring him back to Catalonia.
Recent reports have claimed that Cancelo has been pushing Barcelona to intensify the efforts to sign him. The latest update has revealed that Jorge Mendes is working hard to take his compatriot back to Barcelona. And the Catalan giants are increasingly confident of sealing another loan move for the 30-year-old.
So, Manchester City will not recoup the €25 million they desire to receive from Joao Cancelo’s sale in the summer transfer window. However, it will be interesting to see if they can structure the loan deal to have a mandatory purchase clause.
