On Sunday, AS reported Barcelona are expected to sign Manchester City’s João Cancelo unless there’s a ‘radical’ change in this case.
Monday’s Mundo Deportivo states the La Liga side will take the right-back on loan with an affordable purchase option. He has also agreed to lower his salary in order to fit into the Catalan club’s wage structure.
Barca sources have told Mundo that the ‘optimism is growing’ within the technical staff to sign the Manchester City player.
This is because Cancelo and Jorge Mendes have informed the Catalan club the operation is feasible. The report adds the super-agent has told the Blaugrana that they can take the deal ‘almost for granted’.
Despite the growing optimism, Mundo say the final ‘OK is still missing’ from both the 28-year-old and Manchester City.
Another Catalan newspaper, Sport, doesn’t share the same optimism as Mundo.
Cancelo is not included in Pep Guardiola’s plans and Mendes’ initial idea was to wait until the last week of the window to get his client out of the Etihad on favourable terms. Barca, however, are in a hurry and want to be prepared if they cannot sign him.
Therefore, Mendes has ‘gone all out’ to take Cancelo to Barca. They are willing to pay a ‘minimal’ loan fee and this would be deducted from his salary.
Manchester City are firm and don’t want to lower their demands. They want a €10m loan fee and Cancelo’s full salary to be covered, which Barca aren’t willing to meet. Mendes, meanwhile, is at work to try to find a favourable agreement.
Xavi Hernández’s side want this case to be resolved in the coming days so that they are left with enough time to find an alternative, if this deal doesn’t take shape.
Sport say Cancelo ‘thinks about standing up’ against Manchester City, by not listening to any other offers.
This would encourage Barcelona, provided Mendes can help them find a favourable agreement with Guardiola’s side.
