Barcelona hold talks with agent of Real Madrid target - Reports
Barcelona are reportedly set to hold talks with Real Madrid target Joao Cancelo, who's on loan at Bayern Munich from Manchester City. The Portuguese right-back is seemingly on his way out of the Etihad permanently this summer.
Cancelo, 28, left City in January to join Bayern on loan till the end of the season with an option to buy for more than £61 million (€70 million). However, he has not become a first-team regular at the Allianz Arena. According to El Nacional, Barca president Juan Laporta has met with the defender's agent Jorge Mendes.
The duo discussed Blaugrana's 15-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal. However, Cancelo's name also came up, as his future is uncertain. Barcelona have shown interest in signing the Portuguese. Their potential pursuit is backed by the player's preference to play in a team where he would be an undisputed starter. A return to City has been ruled out due to the player falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola.
Barca are on the hunt for a new right-back following the departure of Hector Bellerin in January to Sporting CP for €1 million. Jules Kounde and Sergio Roberto have both been used in the role, but Xavi's side could do with an out-and-out right-back.
However, Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on Cancelo. If they're beaten to his signature by Barcelona, it will come as a blow, as he could be a long-term replacement of Dani Carvajal.
Cancelo has scored one goal and provided four assists across competitions while on loan at Bayern. He also managed 26 appearances for City, scoring two goals and contributing five assists. The former Juventus defender is renowned as one of the best right-backs in Europe but has endured a difficult 2022-23 campaign.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists his side will win a trophy as they prepare for Barcelona clash
Real Madrid have not impressed like they did last season when they won the league and Champions League. Nevertheless, Madrid manager Ancelotti insists his side will win a major trophy this season as the pressure mounts on him. He said (via the Daily Post):
“Rules change! And unwritten rules too. But I’m convinced that we’ll win something this season, so that’s that.”
Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou on Sunday (March 19) to face Barcelona in the El Clasico. Los Blancos trail their arch-rivals by nine points at the top of the La Liga standings.
However, Madrid are still competing in Europe unlike Barca and will face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Madrid and Barca also meet in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal on April 5, with the Blaugrana 1-0 ahead in the tie.