Manchester City no longer wants Joao Cancelo which favors Barcelona.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Joao Cancelo is now much more feasible than that of Joao Felix. According to Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club is banking on the European champion’s decision not to reclaim the Portuguese right-back at the end of his loan spell this June. Cancelo is under contract with Manchester City until 2027 but is unlikely to see out his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
The Portuguese defender joined Manchester City after the club paid €65 million to Juventus. His time under Pep Guardiola didn’t quite work out, and he spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich. City officials are adamant that Cancelo won’t return after disagreements with the Catalan coach. This situation favors Barcelona, and negotiations are underway to finalize a deal that benefits both clubs. Contacts are ongoing and will continue in the coming months. Strengthening the right-back position is a priority for Barcelona’s squad.
The Barcelona board hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a new loan deal with a purchase option. They are aware that City may receive other offers, but the player’s desire, having shown happiness in Barcelona and with the team, will weigh heavily. Joao Felix’s situation is different. The club isn’t willing to invest a large sum of money in a top winger. It’s not currently part of the plan, and Barcelona isn’t prepared to meet Atletico Madrid’s demands.
