Barcelona have made Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo their new priority in this transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 29-year-old looks set to depart the club this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, but with the German champions unwilling to buy him permanently, Cancelo’s future remained unclear, and he has featured in pre-season.
With Barcelona now set to lose Ousmane Dembele in a shock transfer, it appears that they want an attacking full-back to help replace him, rather than another winger, and Cancelo could fit this profile perfectly.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that the Portugal star is Barcelona’s priority and that bids will soon arrive for the versatile full-back.
“Let me mention one thing. Barcelona will use part of the budget, from what I understand, to sign a new right back, ” he stated.
“Xavi wants a new right back. Xavi doesn’t count on Serginio Dest, he will not be part of Barcelona’s plans next season.
“Joao Cancelo remains the priority target. So from what I understand, Barca will try to use part of the budget to bid for Joao Cancelo in the next weeks. So they want to try again for Cancelo after they tried in January.”
Should City sell Cancelo to Barcelona?
Cancelo was one of City’s most impressive performers, with Pep Guardiola calling him “fantastic,” but a drop in form, alongside some reported off-field issues with his manager meant that the defender departed on loan last January, and his time at City appeared to be over.
With Kyle Walker targeted by Bayern Munich this summer, there may be a case for keeping Cancelo should the Englishman leave. At his best, he is one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe and can play on both flanks as well as further up the pitch.
However, if Barcelona can offer a good fee, then a sale may be the best move if Guardiola no longer counts on him. Rico Lewis can step in as an internal replacement, and with City successfully changing system since Cancelo’s departure, with more centre-backs in the starting XI, he may no longer be necessary even if Walker leaves.
Although he has four years left on his contract, there does not appear to be a future for Cancelo at City, and selling him now whilst he still remains a valuable asset seems to be the best option.
