Barcelona Aiming to Re-Sign João Cancelo in €15M Summer Transfer Move

 

Barcelona are actively working on a deal to re-sign João Cancelo from Manchester City, with negotiations between the two clubs already underway. The Spanish side is pushing for a permanent transfer after the Portuguese full-back impressed during his loan spell at Camp Nou last season.

Cancelo featured prominently in the 2023/24 campaign, offering both defensive reliability and attacking threat from the flanks. His versatility—able to play effectively on either side of defense—has made him a valuable asset, especially for a Barcelona team that has struggled with consistency in the full-back positions.

The proposed transfer fee is expected to be in the region of €15 million, a figure considered reasonable given Cancelo’s experience and current market trends. However, due to La Liga’s strict financial regulations, Barcelona will need to carefully manage wages and possible player exits to finalize the deal.

Sporting director Deco views Cancelo as a key target and believes his technical qualities and adaptability fit perfectly with the style new head coach Hansi Flick wants to implement. Flick, known for demanding energy and tactical discipline, would likely make Cancelo a central piece in his system.

During his time on loan, Cancelo became a regular starter and contributed significantly in key matches. His ability to operate as an auxiliary playmaker from deep positions, combined with strong link-up play with players like Ilkay Gündogan and Lamine Yamal, added a new layer to Barcelona's buildup play.

Despite Barcelona's ups and downs last season, Cancelo stood out for his consistency. His familiarity with the squad and system could be a major advantage as the club looks to build momentum going into the new season.

Manchester City, meanwhile, appear open to a sale. Cancelo’s future at the Etihad has been uncertain since his relationship with manager Pep Guardiola soured in early 2023, leading to back-to-back loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Bringing Cancelo back permanently marks a shift in strategy for Barça, who are now focusing on players who offer both experience and immediate impact—rather than short-term fixes or purely academy-developed options. Deco has long admired Cancelo and is pushing for the club to act swiftly before other clubs enter the race.

Cancelo is also reportedly eager to remain in Catalonia, having previously expressed how settled he feels in the city. His willingness to stay could play a crucial role in getting the deal across the line.

One potential stumbling block remains: complying with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules. To accommodate Cancelo, Barcelona may need to offload players or negotiate salary reductions elsewhere in the squad.

If completed, the signing could be one of Barcelona's most important moves of the summer. Cancelo's skill set aligns perfectly with Flick’s tactical plans and would bring both stability and quality to the team’s backline.

With all parties seemingly aligned, optimism is growing that the deal will be finalized soon, allowing Flick to begin pre-season preparations with one of his preferred full-backs already in place.

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