Joao Cancelo, a defender for Manchester City, has apparently caught the attention of FC Barcelona
Joao Cancelo, a defender for Manchester City, has apparently caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who are also interested in acquiring Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
Sport reports that the La Liga giants are looking to strengthen their right-back position this summer, and with City expecting to sell the Portuguese international and Bayern Munich reluctant to accept him back on a permanent contract, Cancelo may be a great fit for Barcelona.
Despite Cancelo’s stellar play for Bayern in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League, it is widely believed that Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann will not permanently sign the City-owned defender once his loan spell ends.
As Pep Guardiola is eager to permanently unload the 28-year-old, Barcelona may have a better chance of signing Cancelo this summer than at acquiring players like Gundogan and Silva, who have been linked to transfers to Camp Nou.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding Cancelo’s future in Manchester, Barcelona may be able to get him for a steal this summer. The Portuguese international is a complete fullback, and City may come to regret selling him to a European competitor.
Moreover, given Barcelona’s precarious financial status, City may be compelled to sell Cancelo for a low price, a move Guardiola may approve given his ruthless mentality when it comes to getting rid of undesirable players and his ties to the Catalan club.
Cancelo, a former star for Juventus who is now a key member of City’s successful defence, is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top fullbacks. Signing the Portuguese international would be a huge coup for Barcelona.
Cancelo has already shown his worth in La Liga during his time with Valencia, and in the prime of his career, the 28-year-old’s addition to Xavi’s sturdy but uninspiring Barcelona defence might be a huge upgrade.
