Barcelona plot £7 million deal for Manchester City star – Package could rise to £25 million in 2025

Manchester City could be presented with a fresh proposal from FC Barcelona as they continue their pursuit of re-signing Joao Cancelo from the Premier League champions.

The 30-year-old full-back remains on his summer holidays ahead of the new season without any clarity on his club future, or where he will be plying his trade from the start of the 2024/25 campaign in Europe.

Cancelo continues to be excluded from Manchester City’s first-team squad following a breakdown in relations midway through the Treble-winning season, and Pep Guardiola holds no intention of reintegrating him into the set-up.

As such, Etihad Stadium recruitment officials are open to all proposals for the player this summer, whilst most welcoming the idea of a permanent transfer, with aid from the player’s super agent Jorge Mendes.

But with Joao Cancelo’s priority destination, FC Barcelona, being strapped for cash and eyeing more creative solutions, Manchester City may not be able to secure their best deal for a player who remains contracted with the Etihad side until 2027.

According to the information of the Daily Star’s Harry Pratt, Barcelona have now come up with a fresh proposal in which they pay Manchester City a £7 million loan fee for Joao Cancelo’s services in the 2024/25 season, with the obligation of an £18 million transfer in 2025.

The report points out that the La Liga outfit have also agreed to take care of the Portugal international’s contract rather than seeing Manchester City subsidise part of his £150,000-a-week salary.

Joao Cancelo is also understood to be at the centre of transfer interest from the likes of Saudi Arabia and Italy, although it remains to be seen whether the defender would be open to a return to his former home this summer.

Juventus and Inter Milan have been the most widely connected to the player’s signature, having both employed the defender in previous seasons, whilst it is the Turin-based club who are believed to be ahead in the race, should Cancelo give the green light to an Italian return.

As for Manchester City, the Premier League champions are unlikely to seek a replacement for Cancelo during the ongoing summer market, remaining content with their options at both right-sided full-back and at left-back.