City have reportedly been eager to part ways with the full-back for some time, placing a £25 million ($31.8m) price tag on him. Although the 30-year-old has expressed his desire to stay at the Catalan club, a new development has jeopardized this move.
According to Spanish publication Sport, City aims to sever all ties with the former Juventus player and sell him outright, while Barcelona prefers to bring him back on loan for another season with an option to buy later. Pep Guardiola’s team has reportedly received two offers from Saudi Pro League clubs, but Cancelo has not yet agreed to a move to the Middle East. The report adds that City has taken a firm stance on his sale and is unlikely to change their position, making Barcelona’s chances of re-signing him nearly impossible.
In April, City manager Guardiola mentioned he would wait until the end of the 2023-24 season to decide Cancelo’s future. The full-back has not played for the Premier League side since January 2023 following a falling out with the former Barcelona coach.
Cancelo, who spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Bayern Munich and the last term at Barcelona, remains under contract with City until 2027. It remains uncertain which team he will play for next season.
João Cancelo
João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo
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