As the current season approaches its end, FC Barcelona have started planning for the next season, with several arrivals and sales being contemplated by the Catalan club. In addition to these sales and arrivals, the club is also working on the retention of two on-loan players, i.e., Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo.
The negotiations for both these players will be difficult, and there has been one development in the case of Joao Cancelo that can make things even more difficult for FC Barcelona in their negotiations with Manchester City.
The chances of the fullback returning and playing for Manchester City are very slim, and according to previous reports, the Premier League side is looking for a permanent sale of the 29-year-old defender. Laporta also recently disclosed that the Catalans were close to setting a price for the Portuguese international.
However, SPORT reports that Barcelona are not the only side that is interested in having Cancelo in their squad for the next season. Another Premier League side, Arsenal, is also interested in him.
The Gunners currently have Ben White and Tomiyasu for the right-back position, while Kiwior and Zinchenko play in the left-back position for Mikel Arteta.
However, Cancelo will be a significant upgrade on almost all of these players with his vast experiences and qualities that make him an exceptional attacking fullback who can operate on both flanks.
But Arsenal’s entry into the fray can also make things significantly complicated for Barcelona, as the Catalans look to retain the defender.
Earlier reports indicated that Manchester City would sell the player to the highest bidder, and being one of the most prominent Premier League clubs, Arsenal can currently offer a lot more to City than FC Barcelona.
However, the player himself seems happy at the Catalan club and can play a part in helping the Blaugranes retain him for another season by ruling out a move to any other club.
