- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Barcelona are keen to keep hold of Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo and have started talks over a potential deal for him to stay in Catalunya.
HITC Football understands that Barcelona have decided that they want to keep loanee Joao Cancelo beyond this season.
Barcelona struck a deal to take Cancelo on loan from Manchester City over the summer, but the deal did not include a permanent option.
However, talks are now taking place with Barcelona deciding that they fancy keeping Cancelo around for a little longer yet.
The Portuguese full-back has enjoyed an excellent season and he has already informed City and his representatives that he only wants to be with Barca.
The real issue with Cancelo is that his City contract still has three years left to run, meaning a permanent deal is difficult for Barcelona to pull off.
HITC Football understands that Jorge Mendes is already in talks between the two clubs, and all options are being explored including another loan deal, which could extend to beyond more than one season.
How has Joao Cancelo fared at Barcelona?
Cancelo lost his place in the City side in the first half of last season, sparking a January loan move to Bayern Munich.
Bayern chose not to keep Cancelo and City were happy for him to move on again, paving the way for another loan move, this time to Barca.
The 29-year-old has been a regular for Barca, racking up 18 La Liga starts and another five in the Champions League.
Cancelo has bagged three goals and four assists this season, playing at both left back and right back as he shows off his versatility again.
The Portuguese ace seems settled with Barca after difficult times with City and Bayern, so no wonder he wants to stay.
City paid £60million for Cancelo in 2019 and Bayern’s permanent option was worth a similar figure.
City may still want a decent chunk of cash for Cancelo but Barcelona’s financial issues make a huge deal seem unlikely, hence another loan being explored.