Barcelona’s president has confirmed that the club is in line to acquire a Manchester City player whom Pep Guardiola is no longer interested in, according to multiple reports.
Guardiola’s tactical changes have greatly benefited John Stones, allowing him to regularly contribute to attacks despite his central defensive role. However, the tactical adjustment did not suit full-back Joao Cancelo.
Cancelo, who had been a standout performer for City in previous successful seasons, struggled to find a defined role once Guardiola implemented a back three with Stones in a hybrid position.
Consequently, the 29-year-old Portuguese was loaned to Bayern Munich last season and subsequently to Barcelona for the current campaign.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his anticipation that Cancelo will return to Catalonia next season, along with Joao Felix, who is also on loan.
Laporta indicated that negotiations are ongoing with both Atletico Madrid and Manchester City regarding the extension of Cancelo and Felix’s loans or their permanent transfers.
He suggested that the terms of the deal would likely involve extending the loan with an option or obligation to buy, with the final decision depending on financial considerations.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Laporta’s mention of an extension with a transfer fee implies a loan deal with a purchase option or obligation.
Reports suggest that Guardiola is not keen on retaining Cancelo in his squad, following disagreements over the player’s reduced role in the 2022/23 season before his loan to Bayern.
While Barcelona prefers another loan with a purchase option, Man City and Guardiola are reportedly leaning towards a permanent sale to finance new signings.
Barcelona’s financial limitations may lead them to pursue a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy.
Despite potential differences in preferences, it is clear that Barcelona is eager to secure Cancelo’s return, while the player himself is interested in continuing his career at the Camp Nou.
