Barcelona do not have a buy option for Man City outcast Joao Cancelo – report

With the recent confirmation from reliable outlets declaring Cancelo is all set to be a Culer this summer, Barcelona are finally in the endgame of the transfer’s completion.

Following the player’s fallout with Pep Guardiola, he had been excluded from Manchester City’s squad, awaiting a call-up from the Blaugrana hierarchy until they could finally integrate him into the squad.

As the economic lever and player departures have given Barça a financial surge, Cancelo has been given the go-ahead to catch the plane to Catalonia.

Barcelona are only signing Cancelo on loan

It had been widely reported that Cancelo would be arriving at Barcelona on a loan deal with a non-obligatory purchase option.

But Mundo Deportivo have come out to report claiming that the operation is a simple loan transaction with no option to purchase.

This stems from the fact that Barça are facing issues complying with La Liga’s Fair Play policies.

Previously, it was mentioned that the deal for the 29-year-old full-back would have an purchase option worth €25 million, which could be activated if a set of objectives were met.

Buy option would complicate Fair Play situation

But, owing to the league’s policy of counting the permanent buy option into the accounts as of now rather than from July 1, 2024, this form of deal becomes an issue for Barcelona with regard to Fair Play.

As such, the agreement between Barcelona and Manchester City is bound to be for a year on loan.

Of course, it is not ruled out that Barça and City will negotiate to sign the Portuguese player again next season, depending on how well he performs.

Nonetheless, Xavi will breathe a sigh of relief knowing he has got his man for the immediate future and can rely on him in a crucial season for the squad, with the elusive Champions League trophy the club’s biggest objective.