Barcelona’s signing of Joao Cancelo from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal last summer was seen as a coup.
After all, the Catalan giants were addressing a problem area by bringing in one of the best in the position, that too without having to make any major financial commitments.
And, despite the odd defensive lapse, Cancelo has done largely well in his short time at Barcelona, with the club eager to prolong the partnership beyond this season, as was confirmed by Deco recently.
A move for Cancelo will be difficult
However, as per SPORT, Barcelona will find it very difficult to keep Cancelo at the club beyond the current season unless they agree to meet Manchester City’s conditions.
The operation will not be easy at all because the initial probes suggest that the Cityzens are not willing to loan him out for another year and hope to fetch a good sum from his permanent sale, with his market value reaching €50 million.
Barça, though, are clearly in favour of continuing the loan for another season. In principle, Man City should not have any problems because the Portuguese has a contract until 2027 but they want to definitively settle his future once and for all because they do not count on him.
City could agree to a loan deal with a buy obligation
The report adds that only a loan with a compulsory purchase option for an amount of more than €35 million could unravel the operation.
But Barcelona are not willing to accept such figures because, in addition to the fee, they would have to assume the player’s salary, this time, in full.
There is no doubt that Cancelo is comfortable at Barcelona, he feels like a regular and wants to continue. That factor could be decisive in the negotiations, as was the case this past summer.
If the player remains firm, the two clubs are obliged to reach an agreement, but it remains to be seen what offers he may receive in the coming months.
Barcelona are not in the mood for big money and will not be making any major commitments for the right-back. His agent, Jorge Mendes, knows the maximum conditions that the club can offer and from there he will have to work on it.