Guardiola doesn't want him, but his old club does: Cancelo is nearing a long-desired Barca move
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 12.08.23. | 19:59
An initial loan is being arranged for the Portuguese
Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo will be Barcelona's next signing if the operation doesn't take a drastic turn. Both Manchester City and Barcelona, along with the defender, are very close to finalizing the deal. In fact, the goal is to seal the agreement during the upcoming week. The operation will be concluded through a loan with an option to buy.
Xavi had been calling for the arrival of a proven full-back, and the Portuguese player is one of his favourites. Finally, the Barca coach's wish will be granted. Cancelo's persistence in wanting to play for Barcelona has been crucial in convincing City to let him leave. This way, Xavi will have one of the pressing issues regarding his squad resolved.
Cancelo has always been a joint desire between Xavi and the sporting management, just like Juan Foyth of Villarreal. However, the economic constraints were not making life easy for Barca in either case. The club had considered options like Ivan Fresneda of Valladolid and Mallorca's Pablo Maffeo to reinforce the right-back position.
The Cancelo deal has been in the works for some time from the previous transfer windows. In January, Barcelona was interested in him, but he ended up being loaned to Bayern Munich. This situation led to a war of words between Xavi and Guardiola. The Barca coach indirectly accused Guardiola of undermining the signing in January, which Pep publicly denied.
"Xavi has been very misinformed. He's far from reality. The reality was that we decided Cancelo needed to leave and we didn't care where he went, even if he wanted to go to Manchester United, our rival. I won't say they deceived Xavi, but he was certainly misinformed."
🚨🚨💣| JUST IN: FC Barcelona & Manchester City are about to reach TOTAL agreement for the transfer of João Cancelo on a loan deal + a purchase option! Final details are expected to be completed next week. @Manu_Sainz 🔵🔴⚡ pic.twitter.com/pzdk2O0VJq
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) August 12, 2023
Cancelo is under contract with City until 2027 and has an estimated market value of $55 million. That's why the loan with an option to buy seems to be the formula for his move to Barcelona.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 1
Friday
Almeria - Rayo Vallecano 0-2 (0-2)
/Palazon 20 pen, Nteka 28 pen/
Sevilla - Valencia 1-2 (0-0)
/En Nesyri 69 - Diakhaby 60, Guerra 88/
Saturday
18:00 (1.65) Real Sociedad (4.00) Girona (6.00)
20:30 (2.60) Las Palmas (3.10) Mallorca (3.15)
22:30 (3.45) Athletic Club (3.50) Real Madrid (2.20)
Sunday
18:00 (2.15) Celta Vigo (3.30) Osasuna (3.90)
20:30 (1.85) Villarreal (3.70) Betis (4.70)
22:30 (7.00) Getafe (3.90) Barcelona (1.60)
Monday
20:30 (2.20) Cadiz (3.20) Alaves (3.80)
22:30 (1.35) Atletico Madrid (5.30) Granada (10.5)
***odds are subject to change***
