Barcelona have been public about their desire to retain Joao Cancelo this summer, but there has been no suggestion they will look for a transfer, instead hoping to sign another loan deal. Yet Manchester City are desperate to sell him on permanently.

According to Manchester Evening News, City want to sell Cancelo this summer, as they try to raise funds in order to comply with the Premier League’s financial fair play rules. Their intention to sell to Saudi Arabia, in hope that a mammoth financial offer can persuade Cancelo to move off his position of only wanting to return to Barcelona.

Leandro Paredes has been offered to Barcelona. He could come at a low cost. However, currently, Amadou Onana and Mikel Merino are ahead on the shortlist. @tjuanmarti

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 3, 2024

That was the reason that Arsenal were unable to sign Cancelo late last season, and that City were unable to sell him last year. Barcelona are working on another loan deal with his agent Jorge Mendes, and Caught Offside say that they have agreed terms with Cancelo on a second year in Catalonia, but must find a deal with his club. Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq are identified as the two Saudi clubs that are interested in him.

Ultimately it will again come down to Cancelo. If he agrees to head to Saudi Arabia, it seems almost certain that City, who are keen to get a large wage off their books, and bring in a fee for a player that is no longer wanted by Pep Guardiola. Should he remain steadfast on joining Barcelona, then City will be left with few options but to consider a loan back to Barcelona or holding onto the 30-year-old.

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