Barcelona’s desire to sign Manchester City’s João Cancelo continues to get coverage in today’s Spanish newspapers.
Xavi Hernández has requested the La Liga side sign a right-back and AS state his main objective is the 29-year-old.
The coach believes the Manchester City player can be useful both in defence and attack but Barca’s economic conditions have made it difficult to carry out the deal.
Cancelo, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, is aware that he’s not included in Pep Guardiola’s plans.
The Citizens manager has ‘made it clear’ to the defender that he can join any club and this has seen his agent, Jorge Mendes, look for a new destination.
Manchester City sources have told AS that they have given Cancelo permission to hold talks with a club in Saudi Arabia. The report further adds ‘offers are not lacking’ for the Portugal international but that doesn’t include one from the Blaugrana.
Meanwhile, Sport also state the former Valencia man is the priority target for Xavi but the negotiations with the treble winners would be difficult.
It’s claimed Barcelona have made first contact with Manchester City and that has ‘not been positive’. The Blaugrana want to take him on loan with an option to buy while Guardiola’s side are against this idea as they prioritise selling Cancelo.
Sport add a temporary deal would be ‘equally difficult’ for Barca, due to loan fee and salary.
Should they fail to take Cancelo, the report states Real Valladolid’s Iván Fresneda is identified as an alternative.
