Agent in England to talk to Manchester City – Doors beginning to open, next week key

Jorge Mendes is in England this week to talk to Manchester City to try and get Joao Cancelo the return to Barcelona that he wants.

That’s according to Sport, who say Barcelona have not given up on the Portuguese defender and are hopeful that the door is opening to another loan deal.

The newspaper reports that Barcelona still want Cancelo and are keeping negotiations open with Manchester City to get him back in a deal that is financially acceptable to them.

The defender’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is in England this week and working on breaking down Manchester City’s final obstacles to make a deal happen.

The Premier League champions have remained firm in their stance of asking for a permanent transfer, but as the market comes towards a close the belief is that they are opening the doors to a loan despite offers on the table from Saudi Arabia.

Cancelo has consistently made it clear he wants to return to Barcelona, knowing he is not a part of the plans at the Etihad. He would though be willing to remain in Manchester for another year, even if he is not playing.

The poker game has been going on between the clubs for weeks, even months, with Mendes proposing various formulas to Manchester City.

Realistically, though, the only viable one for Barcelona is a loan with a non-obligatory purchase option. They would then want to pay €20m at some point in the future, perhaps even in instalments.

Manchester City have always wanted to sell for more than €25m so the gap remains to be worked out between the two clubs.

Barcelona believe next week could see things truly pick up and the market move as they get rid of players to give them more freedom to then add to the squad and perhaps finally do the deal for Cancelo.