Joao Cancelo will not travel to Barcelona today, no green light yet due to FFP checks – Romano

Everything appears to be tied up between Barcelona and Manchester City for the loan signing of Joao Cancelo.

The 29-year-old is expected to sign for the La Liga champions on a season-long loan deal with a €25 million purchase option, which would be activated if certain conditions are met.

It was suggested that the Portuguese international would be arriving in Barcelona today and completing his medicals tomorrow, but latest reports suggest otherwise.

Financial Fair Play a hindrace in Cancelo deal

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Cancelo has not received the approval to travel to Barcelona today.

This is because the operation is yet to receive the green light as Financial Fair Play checks are not allowing the deal to proceed.

It is well-established by this point that the Blaugrana have been bogged down by Fair Play problems again this summer.

They have left three first-team players unregistered thus far and were always going to find it tricky to sign and register Cancelo.

The recent departure of Sergino Dest helps to a certain extent but Clement Lenglet is yet to leave the club, and as such, FFP checks are not letting them proceed with the Cancelo operation.

All parties optimistic about the deal

Despite the minor roadblock, though, there is optimism among all parties that the deal will be completed.

In fact, Alfredo Martinez of SPORT is reporting that Cancelo has already acquired a flat on rent in Barcelona in anticipation of his impending loan switch.

The report states that the Portuguese international has chosen the Via Augusta area as his new residence, close to the club’s Ciutat Esportiva complex, and the rent on his new place would be around €15,000 per month.

The Blaugrana are set to receive a payment of €40 million from Libero Football Fund over the next week, which should clear up things and enable the signing and registration of Cancelo, along with the other unregistered stars.