Barcelona have held the ‘first polls’ with Manchester City over a permanent deal for Joao Cancelo, but the two clubs face extensive talks thanks to their respective positions.
That’s according to Sport, who say Barcelona are ‘going to have a difficult time’ trying to get the Portuguese star on a permanent basis.
The newspaper explains that the first polls with Manchester City have taught the Catalans that their English counterparts are not willing to sanction another loan and want €50m for the player.
They ‘aspire to a good sale’, although early signs are that they would be willing to lower the price in order to achieve it.
Barcelona had been ‘betting on the continuity’ of his loa for one more season and on paper Manchester City could accept that as he has a contract until 2027 but they want to sell as Cancelo is not a part of their plans.
Only a loan with a mandatory purchase option worth €35m would be considered but Barcelona can’t afford that, particularly as they’d have to assume Cancelo’s salary in full as well.
The player’s comfort in Barcelona and determination to continue ‘can be decisive’ in the negotiations but Barcelona already expect them to be tough.
If Cancelo remains firms, then they and Manchester City are ‘obliged to reach an agreement’ but at what figure remains to be seen.
