Barcelona reactivate contacts with Man City to sign Xavi’s priority target – Romano

According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have reactivated contacts with Manchester City for the signing of Joao Cancelo. Talks have started between the Blaugrana and the player’s camp as well.

The right-back spot is a priority for manager Xavi Hernandez at this point and the tactician wants the position addressed before the club pursues any other deals, including that of Neymar.

There have been several names linked with Barça as targets for the right-back position – Ivan Fresneda, Pablo Maffeo, Arnau Martinez, and Juan Foyth are some of the options being considered.

Xavi’s priority is Cancelo

However, as Romano reports, Cancelo is the absolute priority for Xavi and the manager wishes to incorporate the signing of the Manchester City outcast.

The 29-year-old Portuguese international was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield game last weekend as well as City’s Premier League opener last night against Burnley.

Cancelo has no place in Pep Guardiola’s plans, and as such, Barça are hoping to capitalise on the situation and sign him up.

Talks had ceased not very long ago and it appeared that the operation was dead, but Cancelo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is pushing for the deal and the Catalan giants also wish to make it happen.

Barcelona cannot afford a permanent transfer

As things stand, though, Barcelona are not in a position to sign Cancelo permanently, who is valued at a high price by the English and European champions.

Instead, the Blaugrana are looking for a loan deal with a purchase option included, and even then his wages and the loan fee could pose a challenge, especially with the club also wanting to sign Neymar this summer.

So, the operation will not be straightforward by any means, but talks have restarted between Barça and Man City as well as the player’s camp and it could lead to a mutually beneficial agreement.