Barcelona Make Joao Cancelo Their No. 1 Target For Right-Back, Eyeing Loan Deal
Although Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has recently confirmed that signing a right-back is not a priority in the coming summer, the club are still keeping close tabs on the market.
According to RAC1, Barcelona have identified Joao Cancelo as their number one target in the right-back position. The club want to reinforce the right-back position, and believe the Portuguese international could be the ideal option.
Cancelo was a target for Barcelona during the January transfer window. But the move did not materialise due to Barça’s economic situation, with the player ending up joining Bayern Munich on a loan deal.
After a difficult start, Cancelo has once again established himself at Bayern and has produced good performances under Thomas Tuchel. However, with Manchester City valuing him at around €70 million, there is no question of Cancelo remaining at Allianz Arena.
That has put Barcelona on red alert. Although the Catalans are set to face stiff competition from Real Madrid, Barça are still pursuing a deal for Cancelo this summer.
The club have a good relationship with Manchester City and according to the report, they could pursue a season-long loan deal. If the Portuguese international does perform, the Catalans may even look to sign him on a permanent deal in 2024.
However, it is going to be tricky for Barcelona to convince Manchester City to sanction yet another loan move for Cancelo, especially with the Premier League champions prioritising the sale of the Portuguese international, who has fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola.
One would expect more details to emerge in the coming weeks, once Cancelo returns to Etihad after the end of his loan spell at Bayern Munich.
