Joao Cancelo sends transfer wish to Barcelona & Man City
- Cancelo is on a season-long loan with Barcelona that does not include a purchase clause
- Barca officials have already confirmed their desire to make deal permanent
- Reports suggest City could price Barca out of a deal
By Tom Gott
Joao Cancelo has confirmed he hopes to see his loan from Manchester City to Barcelona made permanent this summer.
Cancelo has spent this season with Barca on a deal which does not include a purchase clause, although club have officials have made it clear since the start of the campaign that they hope to strike a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Barcelona's crunch clash with Napoli, Cancelo made it clear he wants the two clubs to agree a deal.
"I've been lucky enough to only play in big teams, I'm very proud of my journey. and of my career because no one has ever given me anything," he began.
"I don't know anything [about the future] but I would like to stay here. I grew up admiring Ronaldinho's Barca, my idol, for me It's a pride to wear this shirt. And there aren't many other clubs where I can go."
Cancelo is under contract with City until 2027 but manager Pep Guardiola has always stressed that he will let any player leave if they request an exit, so the Portugal international will be made available for sale this summer.
The problem for Barcelona, however, is that City are not prepared to lose Cancelo for free. Mundo Deportivo recently suggested they could demand around £26m which, given Barca's financial issues, could prove to be a major problem.
Agent Jorge Mendes has been tasked with finding a solution, with Barca hopeful that Cancelo's determination to stay in Catalonia could help them negotiate a discount.
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