Manchester City fullback Joao Cancelo is “very close” to joining Barcelona on loan, according to Relevo.com.
The Spanish website claims that the La Liga champions are prepared to include an option to buy in the agreement, although they do not confirm what the fee will be to sign the player on a permanent basis next summer.
Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) are not particularly happy that Cancelo could leave the Etihad on loan for a second consecutive season, Many were hoping for a sale or, at least, an obligation to purchase the defender:
Not another loan just sell omg
β Stxrsky π§πͺ (@StxrskyMCFC) August 12, 2023
Pointless if its not a mandatory buy at the end
β Code Blue (@ClaireMulcahy17) August 12, 2023
must sell permanently
β π Sport (@FPSVirtus) August 12, 2023
Just sell him man
β πππ (@Deyo17ii) August 12, 2023
Make it mandatory, whatβs the point when heβll just come back
β karl (@karlNo18) August 12, 2023
They won’t buy him π€¦πΎββοΈ
β Black-ish (@Blackis04) August 12, 2023
100% guaranteed they wont trigger that option. At least make it an obligation.
β FPL Vester (@FplVester) August 12, 2023
He will be back next seasonππ
β City Parrot (@ManCityParrot) August 12, 2023
City are keen to get Cancelo off their books
After Bayern Munich turned down the chance to keep the 29-year-old permanently earlier this summer, the Citizens have been struggling to find a buyer.
There was never any chance that a club would pay the β¬70m (Β£60m) that Bayern had agreed as the purchase price in their loan last season but, even so, it is disappointing that no team has offered a satisfactory amount to take Cancelo off the club’s hands.
Cancelo wanted a move abroad
City’s task was made all the more difficult because of the player’s transfer stance. It is believed that he wanted to leave the Premier League which meant that getting a decent fee for the right-back was unlikely.
Arsenal were said to be one of Cancelo’s main suitors but it soon became clear that the Portuguese international was looking to move away from England. It appears Barca will be the main beneficiary.
