Man City defender set to join Barcelona on a loan-to-buy deal, total agreement close – report

Barcelona have looked far and wide in the transfer market to fortify their right-back position, as it remains a position that Xavi places great emphasis on.

After tailing the likes of Pablo Maffeo, Ivan Fresneda, and Juan Foyth, it appears that the Catalans may finally have landed on Joao Cancelo, who had been their primary target in the first place.

Cancelo closer than ever

According to AS, barring any unexpected twists, Cancelo is set to become Barcelona’s latest signing.

The operation is reported to be close to completion, with Barcelona and with Manchester City expected to reach a total agreement over the course of the following week.

The operation will be a loan deal with an option for Barça to buy him permanently.

Xavi vehemently requested the signing of a right-back, and Cancelo has always been his priority signing.

Following Pep Guardiola and Cancelo’s fallout, it was already expected that the Portuguese would leave this summer.

And with personal terms reportedly already agreed upon and now the final hurdle involving an agreement with Cityzens no longer a far cry, Barcelona are best placed to acquire the player.

The Premier League champions wanted to sell him permanently, but in the current economic climate, paying a fee upfront for Cancelo was improbable for Barça.

Yet the 29-year-old’s insistence to join the La Liga champions has played a big role, with an agreement now on the horizon.

As mentioned earlier, Cancelo’s arrival in Barcelona appears to be occurring under the loan formula with a purchase option.

Barcelona will gain €26.2 million in Fair Play margin as a result of Ousmane Dembele’s departure, which has opened the door for Cancelo’s signing.