Barcelona have now set a price to sign Joao Cancelo on a permanent basis in 2024 – although Manchester City want more.
That is according to SPORT in Spain.
So, what is the latest on Joao Cancelo? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the Portugal international is performing well on his season-long loan at Barcelona.
Cancelo has scored two goals – while also providing one assist – across six appearances in La Liga so far.
Unsurprisingly, Barcelona are delighted with the 29-year-old and would love to sign him permanently, but the Spanish giants do not possess a huge budget.
As a result, SPORT believe that Barcelona can only spend a maximum of €25m (£22m) on Cancelo in the summer of 2024.
However, Manchester City are said to want €50m (£44m) for the Barreiro-born technician.
Cancelo is supposedly desperate to join Barcelona permanently and is even willing to ignore all offers from other sides in order to secure a move to the Camp Nou.
Manchester City and Joao Cancelo set for a standoff
This could become quite a messy situation.
SPORT add that Manchester City have no intention of giving Cancelo a chance to redeem himself at the Etihad Stadium next season.
The Portuguese defender famously angered Pep Guardiola with his reaction to being dropped for Rico Lewis – the Guardian believe the Spaniard was actually left stunned by Cancelo’s attitude.
Therefore, it was already a tense situation, and now, the fact Manchester City are demanding double what Barcelona are willing to spend could add fuel to the fire.
Manchester City will see no reason to sell Cancelo on the cheap given his quality, but – by the sounds of things – the player himself is going to agitate for the move to happen.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as it could become very strained in 2024.
