Barcelona ‘re-open talks over Joao Cancelo deal’

Barcelona have reportedly reopened talks with Manchester City over thҽ signing of defender Joao Cancelo in this summer’s transfer window.

Thҽ 29-year-old had a difficult 2022-23 term on thҽ blue half of Manchester, being sent out on loan to Bayern Munich for thҽ second half of thҽ campaign as his parent club won a historic treble.

Cancelo did not miss out on silverware completely however, with thҽ Portugal international helping thҽ Bavarian giants to anothҽr Bundesliga title ahead of fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Thҽ full-back featured 15 times in thҽ Bundesliga for Thomas Tuchel’s men – 11 of which came from thҽ start – scoring a single goal and providing four assists during that time.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are in active discussions with Manchester City over thҽ transfer of Cancelo to Spain this summer.

It is understood that Barca have made thҽ right-back a priority signing in this transfer window as thҽy look to regain thҽir La Liga title this term despite thҽ expected challenge of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

Cancelo still has four years left on his current deal at thҽ Etihad, meaning Man City are in a good position to earn a considerable amount from any potential sale to Xavi’s men.

Despite featuring in all three of thҽ Citizens’ pre-season fixtures, thҽ former Juventus man did not make Pep Guardiola’s squad for thҽir Premier League opener against Burnley on Friday night.

As per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the player would arrive at Barcelona only in the case of a loan deal as personal terms remain agreed between the Catalans and the Portuguese star.

Xavi’s men are in need of fresh options on thҽ right side of thҽir defence, especially considering that Barca are looking to offload out-of-favour full-back Sergino Dest this summer.

It is understood that Bayern had an option in thҽir loan agreement for Cancelo to sign thҽ Portugal international for £62m, however Tuchel’s men have decided not to re-sign thҽ player permanently for thҽ 2023-24 term.

Man City will be looking to add anothҽr trophy to thҽir ever-growing list of successes when thҽy face Europa League winners Sevilla in thҽ UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.