The departure of Ousmane Dembele from FC Barcelona to French outfit Paris Saint-Germain is one that takes a toll on the depth and prepared plans of the Catalan club for the upcoming season due to its rather unexpected nature.
Consequently, FC Barcelona have since been working on how to reinvest the funds that the club manages to bring in from the departure of the Frenchman to better reinforce the squad in light of his absence.
The position that Xavi Hernandez publicly stated he wishes to have reinforced within this Barcelona side is that of the right-back, where a top-level “pure” option needs to be brought in as per the coach.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the priority target remains Manchester City right-back Joao Cancelo, and there are several reasons as to why Barcelona and Xavi continue to insist upon his incorporation more than anyone else’s:
- 1: Player of established quality
Unlike any other option, such as Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid, Joao Cancelo represents a player who has already proven himself at the highest stages that European football has to offer. Moreover, his technique is refined in almost all areas, whether it be for crossing or even taking a shot himself at goal; the Portuguese star is a one-of-a-kind player.
- 2: Versatility
An ambidextrous player by trade, he is almost equally effective with his left foot as he is with his preferred right foot, providing a lot of quality from different angles on the field.
Moreover, he can be deployed not just as a right-back but also as a left-back due to this particular skill, something he has demonstrated several times both at Manchester City and even at Bayern Munich.
- 3: Diverse International Experience
The Portuguese fullback has been playing professional football for almost a decade at this point, having represented the likes of Valencia, SL Benfica, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.
Now 29 years of age, the player has already competed in 381 official games across all clubs and has recorded 18 goals and 64 assists. For his national team, he has 44 appearances in which he has scored 8 times.
- 4: Tension at Manchester City
The Portuguese player and his current club continue to persist that no falling out between the 29-year-old and head coach Pep Guardiola took place before he ended up being loaned off to Bayern Munich, yet reports have always suggested otherwise ever since he penned his renewal with Manchester City in 2022.
- 5: His agent
The relationship between Joan Laporta and Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes is considered to be one of a good understanding, and the agent just so happens to be the representative of Joao Cancelo.
As per recent reports, the agent even believes the operation to be feasible for Barcelona and is aware that his client is willing to reduce his salary demands and wishes to push for the Catalan club, something Barcelona themselves are also willing to do and work with Mendes to find an adequate solution.
- 6: Willing for Barcelona
FC Barcelona are aware that Joao Cancelo himself is a driving force behind enabling a transfer for himself to Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez continues to insist on his arrival as a result.
Barcelona have remained interested in the Portuguese star since quite a while now, having even looked to incorporate him during January of this year, but that transfer option would end up being dismissed and now Barcelona wish to once again reopen its possibilities, as the player’s own insistence towards playing for the Catalan club has been consistent since a while too.