Barcelona ‘in danger’ of losing £42m Man City star amid Saudi ‘offer’ with clubs ‘very far apart’

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Published on 2024-03-30 16:30:26

According to reports, FC Barcelona faces the risk of losing Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo in the upcoming summer transfer window due to interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Cancelo was a key player for Manchester City before a fallout with Pep Guardiola led to his departure from the Premier League club in January 2023. He spent the end of the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga before joining Barcelona during the last summer transfer window.

Despite struggling at Bayern Munich, Cancelo has performed well in La Liga, registering four goals and four assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona is eager to retain Cancelo beyond his current loan period, considering his significant contribution this season. However, the club’s financial struggles may hinder their ability to secure his permanent transfer.

Reports suggest that Cancelo has received an offer from Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, with Manchester City seeking a definitive sale for around £42m. Barcelona may find it challenging to match this offer and are looking to extend Cancelo’s loan for another year with a potential mandatory purchase option.

In addition, Barcelona is reportedly planning a summer fire-sale to align with the league’s spending cap. LaLiga president Javier Tebas emphasized the need for Barcelona to sell “two or three of their top-class players” to meet the financial requirements. Speculations point towards potential sales of players like Jules Kounde and Raphinha, despite their reluctance to leave. The club’s current squad costs exceed the spending limit, prompting the need for significant financial adjustments.

The uncertainty surrounding the new Barcelona manager adds complexity to the situation, but preparations have begun for the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen how the club navigates these financial challenges and potential player departures to ensure long-term stability and competitiveness.

Read Original article on Football365