Despite battling a financial crisis, Barcelona remain interested in securing the services of a new right-back this summer, but after addressing the other priority areas in the squad.
And Joao Cancelo of Manchester City has been at the top of the wishlist for the La Liga champions. Indeed, the Blaugrana have been weighing up the possibility of a loan move for the Portuguese international trying to leverage their relationship with his agent, Jorge Mendes.
However, they are facing several hurdles in the chase for the 29-year-old. For starters, Arsenal have shown a strong interest in signing Cancelo and are willing to acquire his services permanently, which appeals more to Manchester City.
Now, according to reports in Italy, as relayed by SPORT, Inter Milan too have entered the race to sign Cancelo. As per the update, initial contacts have already taken place between the two clubs but they are still quite far apart and more talks are expected in the coming days.
Cancelo has fallen out of favour at Manchester City and spent the second half of the season on loan at Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants had the option to sign him permanently for a fee of €70 million but decided against it.
Now returning to Etihad, the full-back has no future in Pep Guardiola’s side and will be on the move again this summer.
Barcelona, for their part, intend to sign him on loan. But any move would require Cancelo to reduce his wages which currently stand at €8 million per year.
And with Inter Milan also now entering the pursuit of the right-back and establishing contacts with Manchester City, things could get even more complicated for the Blaugrana in their pursuit of the Portuguese ace.
In case a move for Cancelo does not materialise, Barcelona have an alternative lined up in the form of Ivan Fresneda, with some reports even suggesting that the teenage Spaniard is close to agreeing a five-year contract with the club.
