The backline is one of the areas of the FC Barcelona team where there are relatively fewer changes expected to take place this summer. The Catalans already have their center-back ranks well-stacked, and the only expected changes over the previous season will be the return of Eric Garcia, and the departure of one of the centre-backs.
But as Joao Cancelo’s loan period ended, Barcelona lost one of their starting fullbacks from the last season. However, the Blaugranes are trying to get him in their team for the next season as well.
In fact, as SPORT has reported, Barcelona are now accelerating their push to get the Portuguese fullback from Manchester City. Along with his agent, Jorge Mendes, the Catalans are trying to reach an agreement with the Premier League champions for a loan with a conditionally mandatory purchase option for the veteran and versatile fullback.
Although he contributed significantly to Barcelona’s campaigns, the defender saw his performances decline significantly in the latter parts of the last season. Still, the Blaugranes trust the Portuguese veteran, and Hansi Flick has also given the go-ahead for his signing.
Manchester City have trying hard to get Cancelo permanently transferred for a fee of around €20 million. However, Cancelo was fully determined to play only at Barcelona next season, and this can force Manchester City to agree to a deal with the Catalans that is not entirely to their liking.
For now, all the involved parties are working with the aim of completing this transfer as soon as possible. This is mainly because neither of them wants Cancelo to join Manchester City’s preseason and wants him to travel directly to the USA to join Hansi Flick’s team there.
If the next season goes as planned, Cancelo will become a Barcelona player permanently for a sum of less than €20 million. The defender himself has made some sacrifices to join the Blaugranes, as he wanted to continue with the Catalans after his first season on loan.
