Barcelona are hoping that Pep Guardiola’s insistence Joao Cancelo does not join Manchester City for pre-season helps them to sign the Portuguese defender this summer.
That’s according to Sport, who report that Saudi Arabian duo Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq have both made offers for the defender, which he so far is refusing to entertain.
The newspaper explains that the Saudi sides are pushing to convincing the full-back and Manchester City would prioritise a sale, rather than the loan deal Barcelona want.
Both clubs have €25m offers to Manchester City for Cancelo, bids the Premier League side would be happy to accept as they want rid of the Portuguese star following his falling out with Pep Guardiola.
The player had offers from Saudi Arabia last summer but refused to move, despite them offering him an ‘astronomical amount’ when it came to wages.
He instead pushed for a loan to Barcelona and was eventually granted it, with Manchester City lowering their demands so allow the deal to be done.
Barcelona want another loan deal this summer with a non-obligatory purchase option included but Manchester City want a permanent sale and so matters have stalled, particualrly as they have the Saudi Arabian offers on the table.
Barcelona, though, are hopeful that Pep Guardiola’s insistence the player does not join him and his squad for pre-season will force City into changing their plans.
Cancelo has already made it clear he won’t listen to other offers, namely those from Saudi Arabia, and Barça are hoping to use that, and Guardiola’s stance, to force City into accepting the loan deal they want eventually.
