Barcelona given fresh hopes in move to sign Premier League star - Reports
Barcelona have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Manchester City right-back Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese spent the last season on loan with the Blaugrana.
Cancelo, 30, contributed four goals and five assists in 42 games across competitions. Most of his goal contributions - two goals and four assists in 32 games - came in La Liga, where Barca finished second, behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The City man is now back at his parent club, where he's contracted till 2027. However, as per SPORT (via Barca Blaugranes), City boss Pep Guardiola left Cancelo out of his matchday squad for the 2-0 Premier League win at Chelsea last weekend.
That was despite the boss appreciating Cancelo's attitude in training, suggesting that the Portuguese's future could lie outside the Etihad. If he remains at City beyond the summer, Cancelo might spend significant periods on the bench, something Barca could look to capitalise on before the transfer window closes.
Considering the Blaugrana's well-documented financial woes, though, they might not have the funds to sign Cancelo outright. But a loan deal could work, with the player also ready to take a pay-cut - from his annual salary of £14 million - to play more regular football.
However, the Blaugrana are not prioritising a move for Cancelo - who has nine goals and 21 assists in 154 games across competitions for Guardiola's side - right now as they look to fortify their central midfield.
What's next for Barcelona?
Barcelona have kickstarted the Hansi Flick era with a win, winning 2-1 at the Mestalla in their La Liga opener at the weekend. After Hugo Duo had given the hosts a 44th-minute lead, Robert Lewandowski restored partiy in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time.
The Polish striker was at it again, scoring from the spot four minutes later as his former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick is off to a winning start in his first game in Spanish football.
Barce next play Athletic Club at home on Saturday (August 24). They won this fixture 1-0 at home in October last year, thanks to Marc Guiu's 80th-minute winner. However, the return at San Mames in March was a goalless stalemate.
Interestingly, Xavi's side lost to Atlhetic 4-2 away in extra time in the Copa del Rey quarter-final despite Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal putting them 2-1 in front after 32 minutes.