Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo confirms his summer intentions amid Barcelona loan
Joao Cancelo wishes to stay with Barcelona
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo has opened up about his future, admitting that he would love to continue at Barcelona beyond the current season.
The defender moved from the Etihad on loan to join the LaLiga giants and now he has expressed his desire to continue at the Camp Nou.
Speaking to Italian outlet, Gazzetta dello Sport, Cancelo said, “I was lucky enough to play for only big teams. I am proud of my career because nobody has ever gifted me anything. Iâve conquered everything with sacrifice.
Pep Guardiola reportedly had a falling out with the defender (Image credit: Getty Images)”I know nothing yet [about the future], but Iâd like to stay here. I grew up watching Ronaldinhoâs Barcelona. Heâs my idol. I am proud to wear this jersey, and there arenât other clubs I can join, right?”
Spanish outlet SPORT had reported that the Citizens are likely to demand a transfer fee of around ÂŁ25 million for his services and permanently sell Cancelo in the summer â but the latest reports state a deal could be done in the region of ÂŁ13 million.
Cancelo,
who is valued by TransferMarkt at ÂŁ34m, has his deal with Manchester City until 2027 and he is due to arrive back in Manchester in the summer following his loan in Barcelona.
The 29-year-old has been regularly selected in the Barcelona starting XI this season. He could feature on Wednesday as the club take on Napoli in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 fixture.
 Xavi Hernandez is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)FourFourTwo opinionFor me, Cancelo remains still one of the best fullbacks playing today. The reasons for his Manchester City exit appear to be a rift with Pep Guardiola.
Iâm sure heâs thoroughly enjoying his time in Spain, but I wonder if things might change if a club from the Saudi Pro League come in and attempt to rival Barca for his signature.
They will undoubtedly be able to offer a greater pay packet than the cash-strapped Catalans, while Xaviâs exit in the summer may see Cancelo move elsewher, regardless of his words now.
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Jacque Talbot is a freelance football journalist who predominantly specialises in transfer stories and exclusives. He began his career in 2016 covering the world-renowned Sandbach United, of North West Counties fame, before earning a spot on the sports desks of national papers, where he bounced between several outlets such as Sportbible, the Express, Mirror, and Daily Star. An NCTJ graduate of the News Associates who swapped investigative journalism in the Costa del Sol for football reporting in Northern England, he first wrote for FourFourTwo in December 2023.
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