There are only around two weeks left in this summer transfer window, and FC Barcelona still have not signed a right-back. This position is arguably the only weak area in the squad for now, as Xavi does not have a natural right-back at his disposal whom he can use to win the trophies that he aims to win this season.
While a number of candidates have been linked with Barcelona for this position, Xavi clearly prefers the Manchester City fullback, Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese right-back is not wanted by Manchester City and is highly likely to end up in a different club this summer.
Cancelo generating interest from other clubs
As SPORT has reported, FC Barcelona are not the only one who are interested in the experienced fullback. The player is also generating interest from Saudi Arabia, and Manchester City are also open to negotiating with interested Saudi clubs, as they are also doing for the transfer of another of their defenders, Aymeric Laporte.
Barcelona know of this interest in their target from the Middle East, but they are counting on the player’s ambition to keep playing in Europe, particularly with Barcelona, and are confident they can land him this summer. Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent, is trying to finalize an agreement for his client, in accordance with the economic realities of the Blaugrana club.
Cancelo’s potential move to Barcelona
FC Barcelona are currently considering a loan offer with a purchase option for the fullback. Furthermore, they also want a realistic price option on the player when his loan period ends in June, in order to be able to retain him on a permanent basis from the next summer, keeping in view his performances during the loan season.
However, it remains to be seen how much these terms are acceptable to Manchester City, who are looking to permanently offload the fullback this summer. Thus, they are also in contact with the interested Saudi sides, as they can offer a quicker exit route for Cancelo.
While everything is on track for FC Barcelona, nothing is finalized as yet. Meanwhile, Barcelona have let it known to Cancelo that they would not be waiting too long, as they cannot risk going into the last days of the transfer window without having a right-back signed, especially after losing out on Cancelo in the winter window when he was loaned to Bayern Munich.