According to the latest report of the well-known Spanish sports media "Mundo Deportivo", FC Barcelona has encountered a major obstacle on the road of seeking to strengthen the position of the wing back. The team originally regarded Portuguese international João Cancelo as a key reinforcement target, but in the face of the transfer request made by the Manchester City side, Barcelona appeared to be unable to do so.
Reports indicate that Manchester City want Barcelona to activate the release clause in Cancelo's contract in order to complete the transfer deal. However, the transfer fee involved in this clause is far beyond Barcelona's current financial capacity, making the negotiation between the two sides into a stalemate. Although Cancelo performed well during his loan spell with Barcelona last season, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists, and showing a high level of performance in 42 games, the high transfer fee has become an insurmountable gap between Barcelona and Cancelo.
Meanwhile, Saudi giants Riyadh Crescent have shown strong interest in Cancelo and are willing to pay the transfer fee demanded by Manchester City. The news certainly adds more uncertainty to Cancelo's future. For the 30-year-old Portuguese star, he is eager to find a solution as soon as possible in order to be able to determine his belonging before the start of the new season.
Cancelo's contract with Manchester City currently has a few years left until it expires in 2027. However, considering his outstanding performance during his loan period and the pursuit of several clubs, his future destination has undoubtedly become one of the focuses of attention in the soccer world. For Barcelona, how to complete the upgrade and reinforcement of the lineup within a limited budget will be an urgent problem to be solved. For Cancelo, it is also crucial to choose a club that will allow him to continue to utilize his talents and achieve his career goals.
