With the summer transfer window nearing its conclusion Barcelona are looking to end on a high with the return of star full-back Joao Cancelo whose journey with the Catalans may not have reached its end quite yet.
With his loan stint expiring on the 30th of June, Cancelo returned to Manchester City and rejoined training. However, according to several reports, his heart still lies with the Blaugranes and he is desperate to reunite with them. According to Fabrizio Romano (h/t Reshad Rehman), this sentiment is returned by Barcelona who bearing in mind their lack of full-backs, would welcome Cancelo with open arms.
Cancelo would have to jump through financial hurdles
Cancelo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is advancing in talks with Man City ratifying the players’ keenness to continue at Barcelona. The main obstacle at the moment remains Barcelona’s financial limitations due to which if Joao were to return he would have to do so at a lowered salary.
The Catalans are not thrilled at the prospect of paying his loan fee or matching his €14 million salary which clashes with Man City’s desire to offload the payer for a figure over €20 million. Still, the Portuguese wizard’s unrelenting fervor to play under Flick and a lack of other offers may force Guardiola’s hand.
Guardiola himself is unsure of Cancelo’s future having said in a recent conference, “He’s training with us. We will see. Maybe he stays, maybe he goes on loan, maybe… I don’t know yet.”
Joao Cancelo could be the key to Barcelona’s success in this 2024/25 season. His presence in the right-back position allows Kounde to reclaim his traditional center-back role. This makes him high on Barcelona’s list as his return would be a practical and beneficial addition to Flick’s cadre.
It is safe to say that both Barcelona and Cancelo will do their utmost to secure a deal for an appropriate figure keeping in mind their shared interests and ending their short estrangement.
