On April 11th, we covered claims from Spain that Barcelona would be open to the idea of a swap deal with Manchester City, involving Nélson Semedo and João Cancelo.
Sport now claims City are the ‘main team interested’ in Semedo.
The two right-backs are managed by Jorge Mendes.
With Cancelo struggling at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s side approached the super-agent to check if a swap deal involving Cancelo and Semedo would be possible.
Barca are not happy with this idea.
It’s claimed Barca’s technical leaders understand Cancelo is a problem for City and even though he is valued by the Camp Nou side, they are of the belief his asking price is high for a player who has endured a difficult season.
With a swap deal being ruled out, City remain interested in Semedo and the English champions could look to sign him on ‘pure and simple transfer’.
Sport claim Manchester City are Mendes’ ‘greatest asset’, but the possibility of Juventus joining the race for the Quique Setién’s man is not ruled out.
Barca’s initial idea was to offer their defender a contract extension. However, the financial crisis due to the Covid-19 outbreak has forced Barcelona to put renewal talks on hold.
With their priorities being elsewhere in the market, Barcelona are ready to allow the right-back to leave in the summer.
Mendes, therefore, asked the Blaugrana to state their asking price for the fullback and they have set a valuation of €45m for their player.
The agent is already at work to find a new destination for Semedo and it remains to be seen whether he will end up at City or another club.
