Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City star Joao Cancelo, as the Catalan club continues its search for a right back. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Cancelo is seen as a priority signing by Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez, who has been actively strengthening the squad this summer.
Barcelona had to rely on Jules Kounde to provide cover in the right back position last season, as captain Sergio Roberto was often deployed in the center of the park. While Sergino Dest traveled with the team for their preseason tour in the US, reports suggest that Xavi is not impressed with the Dutch-born US international and wants his contract terminated.
The potential departure of Ousmane Dembele has given a boost to Barcelona’s search for a new right back. Dembele is set to join Paris Saint-Germain for €50 million ($55 million), thanks to a private clause in his contract. However, there is a dispute between Barcelona and Dembele’s camp over the distribution of the transfer fee, with Barcelona claiming they should receive more than half.
With Barcelona facing financial constraints and struggling to register new players under Financial Fair Play limits, the funds from Dembele’s sale could be used to secure Cancelo’s signing. Romano suggests that personal terms have already been agreed upon with Cancelo, whom Xavi has been eyeing since January.
It was previously reported by SPORT that Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola blocked Cancelo’s potential move to Camp Nou due to a training ground confrontation. The Portuguese defender was subsequently loaned to Bayern Munich. Now, with his loan spell at an end, Cancelo remains unwanted at Manchester City, and negotiations are underway between Barcelona and City to finalize a deal.
Considering Barcelona’s current economic situation, a loan deal with an option to buy when the club is in better financial shape seems likely. This would allow Barcelona to strengthen their squad without exceeding their current financial limitations.
As Barcelona continues its pursuit of Joao Cancelo, the club hopes to bolster its right back position and give Xavi more options for the upcoming season. The agreement on personal terms is a positive step forward, but the finalization of the deal depends on further negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester City.
In conclusion, Barcelona’s search for a right back has led them to Joao Cancelo, who has agreed on personal terms with the Catalan club. The potential departure of Ousmane Dembele has provided Barcelona with the funds to pursue Cancelo, and a loan deal with an option to buy could be the most likely outcome. As negotiations continue, both Barcelona and Manchester City aim to reach an agreement that benefits all parties involved.
