Manchester City could face an exodus in the summer following their UEFA Champions League ban, allowing Barcelona to profit.
Barcelona have had well-documented problems at right back since the departure of Dani Alves in 2016. Aleix Vidal, Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto have all failed in cementing their positions as the starting players. The former has departed for Deportivo Alaves while the latter two continue competing for a berth under Quique Setien.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
Sergi Roberto’s injury has opened the door on Nelson Semedo getting a few regular and consistent minutes, but the Portuguese international has not been delivering as expected of him. Quique Setien has now requested the Barcelona board to bring in a right back this summer and has demand seems more likely than not to be accommodated.
El Desmarque has reported that Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo will be allowed to leave for Barca should the Catalans materialize their interest in him. The former Juventus full-back is one of the options that the Blaugrana have been looking at besides the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Ricardo Pereira and Adama Traore.
Joao Cancelo has been at the Etihad Stadium for just one season, but he has been far from his best. The Portugal international has been benched regularly by Kyle Walker and has had to feature in an impeded position of a left back given Benjamin Mendy’s absence. With that said, he’s made only 24 appearances this season without contributing to any goal.
Pep Guardiola publicly said that the player would be allowed to leave if he desires so. Manchester City brought in Cancelo for a swap deal involving Danilo and some cash, taking the deal’s worth to 65 million euros or so. Despite them paying heavily for the right-back, Barca could get their man for somewhere around 50 million euros.
Do you see Joao Cancelo being a long-term solution to Barca’s problems at right-back?