Manchester City defender João Cancelo is set to be part of a three-way deal involving Barcelona right-back Nélson Semedo and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez this summer.
That’s according to Sport, who back up claims from Italy yesterday that a similar convoluted deal was on the table to ensure Manchester City, Barcelona and Inter Milan get the players they want.
The newspaper explains that what is now being negotiated between all three clubs is a deal that would see Semedo move to Manchester City with Cancelo going the other way.
However, his stay at Barcelona will be a short one as they are then set to send him straight to Inter Milan on a free transfer to finalise their deal for Martínez.
City were willing to offer Cancelo, who has been a flop since a big move to the Eithad last summer, to lower the price for Semedo and in turn they ‘did not hesitate’ to offer him to Inter.
This was approved by the Serie A side, with Antonio Conte a fan of the Portuguese left-back, who once spent six months on loan at the club.
Agent Jorge Mendes, who represents both Semedo and Cancelo has been key to the arrangement, which must first be approved by all three players.
There is unlikely to be any problems, though, and Sport believe all three could give their approval as soon as today.
Semedo had already made it clear he wanted to leave Barcelona this summer and that Manchester City was his preferred destination.
Juventus were also keen but City’s offer was ‘superior’ to the Italian giants and Semedo also wanted a shot at Premier League football.
Cancelo, meanwhile, was keen to leave the Etihad after failing to adapt to life in England and wanted to join Barça.
They, though, did not want such an expensive signing at right-back and so he’s accepted a return to Inter and will ‘give his okay without discussion’ in the coming days.
Lastly, Martínez already has an agreement in place with Barcelona having turned down advances from elsewhere and is keen to move, with this deal set to benefit all three parties.
