Barcelona are making significant efforts to fortify their defensive right side this summer, prioritizing a new addition to complement Sergi Roberto, their first-choice full-back.
According to reports, the Catalan giants have set their sights on Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo and are preparing a formal loan bid with an option to buy.
The club initially considered Villarreal’s Juan Foyth as a potential signing. However, due to his substantial release clause of €54m (£46.6m), they decided against pursuing a deal.
With Cancelo emerging as a viable alternative, Barcelona aims to secure the Portuguese international’s services before the transfer window closes.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Barcelona is actively working on the loan proposal for Cancelo. The club intends to utilize the funds generated from Ousmane Dembele’s sale to Paris Saint-Germain to assist in financing the move. It is believed that Cancelo is enthusiastic about joining Barcelona, as he has already agreed to personal terms with the club.
Nevertheless, negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester City are ongoing, with the buy option being a significant point of contention. While Barcelona is willing to pay €25m (£21.6m) for Cancelo, Manchester City is demanding a higher purchase clause of €45m (£38.6m). Both parties will need to find common ground to finalize the deal successfully.
Despite the complexities of the agreement, it is expected that Cancelo will leave Manchester City this summer. The 29-year-old spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich after falling out of favor under Pep Guardiola.
Since joining Manchester City from Juventus in 2019, Cancelo has made 154 competitive appearances, contributing nine goals and 22 assists for the Citizens.
