Manchester City’s João Cancelo has been on loan at Barcelona since last summer and has made 25 appearances, managing three goals and three assists in the process.
Barca president Joan Laporta stated sporting director Deco is “working” on keeping the right-back and João Félix, who’s on loan from Atlético Madrid, at the Camp Nou beyond this season.
Sport relay Laporta’s comments and give their take on the Manchester City owned player.
Both players are represented by Jorge Mendes, who has a close relationship with Laporta. The super-agent has to play a ‘fundamental role’ in helping the Catalan club retain the duo.
The newspaper indicates Cancelo is likelier to stay. A knee injury kept the Portugal international fullback on the sidelines for just under three weeks in January and he returned to the pitch in Barca’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal.
The 29-year-old had revealed that it was the “worst 45 minutes” of his career and despite the dip in form in recent games, Sport say it ‘could be a success’ to buy him.
Deco and Mendes have to negotiate a deal with Manchester City to retain Cancelo, taking Barca’s finances into account.
Cancelo’s relationship with Pep Guardiola has deteriorated and this, coupled with his firm desire to continue, is an ‘advantage’ for Barca when negotiating with Manchester City.
Sport state Barcelona will try to secure a deal for less than €25m and whether the Citizens will accept it remains to be seen.
At the weekend, Barca sealed a league win over Alavés and Cancelo was subbed off after the break.
Marca say Xavi Hernández took this step not because of his recent ‘irregularities’ but as a precaution, since the fullback returned from a knee injury.
