Barcelona’s president has confirmed that his team is likely to secure the services of a Manchester City player whom Pep Guardiola is no longer keen on, as per multiple reports.
Guardiola’s tactical adjustments have benefited John Stones significantly, allowing him to contribute to attacks regularly despite his central defensive role. However, the tactical shift did not favor full-back Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese had excelled as a top performer in City’s successful seasons but found no clear role once Guardiola implemented a back three with Stones playing in a hybrid position.
As a result, Cancelo, 29, was loaned to Bayern Munich last season and subsequently to Barcelona for the current campaign.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed his expectation that Cancelo will return to Catalonia next season, alongside Joao Felix, who is also on loan.
Laporta indicated that negotiations are underway with both Atletico Madrid and Manchester City regarding the loan extension or permanent transfer of Cancelo and Felix.
He suggested that the terms of the deal would likely involve an extension of the loan with an option or obligation to buy, with the final decision dependent on the financial aspects.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Laporta’s mention of an extension with a transfer fee implies a loan deal with a purchase option or obligation.
Reports indicate that Guardiola is not keen on retaining Cancelo in his squad, following disagreements over the player’s reduced role in the 2022/23 season before his loan to Bayern.
While Barcelona prefers another loan with a purchase option, Man City and Guardiola are reportedly inclined towards a permanent sale to fund new signings.
Barcelona’s financial constraints may lead them to pursue a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy.
Despite the potential differences in preference, it is evident that Barcelona is keen on securing Cancelo’s return, while the player himself is interested in continuing his career at the Camp Nou.
