After a half-year at Bayern Munich, full-back Joao Cancelo returned to home club Manchester City and team manager Pep Guardiola in the summer. For weeks, however, the Portuguese has been associated with a move to FC Barcelona. But the deal is still not through.
The stalemate around Joao Cancelo continues a week after the start of the season in England. Actually, the 29-year-old had wanted his future clarified for a long time after FC Bayern had not pulled the stipulated purchase option of rumored 70 million euros. But there is still no breakthrough in the talks, according to City team manager Pep Guardiola.
“Joao Cancelo is still with us and at the moment I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said the Spaniard at the press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle United. “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Guardiola repeated somewhat helplessly.
FC Barcelona wants to loan Joao Cancelo
Cancelo, who was considered one of the best full-backs in the world about a year ago, has not even been in the matchday squad in all three of Manchester City’s previous competitive games. In the past first half of the season, the star of the 44-time national player in England had fallen more and more.
His sudden winter move to Bayern was tantamount to fleeing Guardiola, having previously lost his regular place in Manchester. In addition, there should have been differences of opinion between the coach and the player.
According to “Mundo Deportivo” from Spain, FC Barcelona are still courting Joao Cancelo’s services. The player has long since given the green light for a change, and Barca sincerely hope to reach an agreement with Manchester City as soon as possible.
According to the report, Barcelona want to borrow Cancelo, while City promises to be able to generate transfer proceeds with the Portuguese. We are talking about 35 to 40 million euros.