Cancelo: Barcelona to Submit Formal Bid for Manchester City Defender Per Reports

• Barcelona are in the market for a right-back as they seek to strengthen their defence
• The La Liga champions have been hot on the trail of Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo
• The Spanish side are reportedly preparing to submit a bid for the Portuguese defender

La Liga champions, Barcelona, could be on the verge of finally resolving their prolonged right-back situation.

The team has reportedly identified several options to solve the problem after coach, Xavi Hernandez, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current options of Julian Araujo - who has been loaned to Las Palmas, and Sergino Dest - who could be shown the door.

Xavi appeared keen on getting the signing of Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo over the line, having missed out on the Portuguese defender in the winter transfer window.

However, this move is said to have been met with skepticism by the Barcelona hierarchy.

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Man City have not hidden their desire to sell the 29-year-old Portuguese defender and have consistently left him out of their matchday squad.

According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are still preparing to present an offer for the full-back.

However, a report from Mundo Deportivo indicates the club might encounter a few obstacles in completing this transfer.

Barcelona's issue with signing Cancelo

There has been growing optimism from the player’s camp, as Cancelo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and Barcelona continue to push to complete a move for the player. However, the primary concern at present is his salary.

While La Blaugrana can explore a number of options including him into taking a pay cut - which the player is reportedly willing to accept - Barca could also look at a trickier option of negotiating with Man City to cover a portion of Cancelo’s wages during the loan period.

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Whether the Premier League champions would fancy letting Cancelo join Barcelona on loan appears another debate entirely, as it is believed Pep Guardiola’s side would prefer a permanent sale of the defender.

Nonetheless, the Citizens could consider a loan move for the Portuguese player given the dip in his market value and his lack of suiters over the past year or so.

Barcelona reopen Cancelo talks

Sports Brief also reported on Barcelona not giving up on Cancelo in the summer, having re-opened talks with Man City over the transfer of the Portuguese defender.

The 29-year-old has been identified as one of La Blaugrana's key transfer targets as they look to strengthen their defence, with Xavi said to be one of his admirers.