Permanent deal for Cancelo: Man City demands £26m from Barcelona
Manchester City have told La liga giants Barcelona to pay £26m to secure the permanent services of Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese is spending the season on loan at the Catalan giants from Pep Guardiola’s side, making 15 appearances in La Liga so far, producing three goal contributions.
Cancelo has provided a regular face and stability at right-back – a position in which Barca have struggled in during recent years – helping Xavi’s men fight at the top of the league with the likes of Girona and Real Madrid.
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The former Juventus man had a temporary spell at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the second half of last term, however the Bavarian club were not able to sign the defender permanently for 2023-24.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona are interested in sealing the transfer of Cancelo on a permanent basis following impressive performances in the opening months of the campaign.
The report claims that Man City would be willing to do business with their Spanish counterparts, however the treble-winning Citizens are demanding a transfer fee of around £26m.
Such a deal for Barca at this stage could be difficult due to their precarious financial situation, with the club hoping another loan agreement could be arranged.
Xavi’s men are also supposedly seeking to extend the loan deal with Atletico Madrid for attacker Joao Felix, who has scored three goals in 15 La Liga matches since joining in the summer.
Portuguese Felix has often linked up with his compatriot Cancelo on the right flank this season to good effect, and the Catalans are keen to keep both within their ranks.
On top of his natural position on the right side of the backline, Cancelo has also operated at left-back for Barca, as well in a more advanced role on the right wing.
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The 29-year-old’s importance to the Camp Nou club is highlighted in the number of minutes he has received this season, with only midfielder Ilkay Gundogan playing more for Xavi so far.
Reports last week suggested that Barca are doing their utmost to extend Felix’s loan agreement past the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.
England international Kyle Walker has assumed the role of first-choice right-back since Cancelo lost his place in Guardiola’s first-team thinking last season, with the former Tottenham Hotspur defender captaining his side to Club World Cup glory on Friday.
Following the winter break, Cancelo and his Barcelona teammates will be looking to close the seven-point gap to league leaders Real Madrid as the Catalans fly to Las Palmas on January 4.