Last June, Joao Cancelo insisted on a move to Barcelona. He drove everyone at Etihad crazy because he rejected offers. None of them suited him. He ‘trapped’ Manchester City into a corner, and the treble winners had no choice – they let him go to Catalonia. The Portuguese full-back and Pep Guardiola were like horns in a bag. The quality was not in question, but his behaviour… The Spaniard didn’t want to tolerate everything, so he drew the line. Manchester City accepted that it was better for him to go on a one-year loan than to have problems within the club. However, Citizens do not intend to make concessions next June, but rather to recover at least part of the invested money.Barca’s disjointed leaders are casting a shadow on the club’s futureManchester City splashed out 65 million euros for Joao Cancelo to Juventus just under five years ago. It was a good investment until the flaws of the Portuguese full-back began to show. He was first sent on loan to Bayern Munich, where he quickly became dissatisfied. He returned to Etihad, and nothing changed. He was on the transfer list, but at the last minute, a new loan deal was arranged, this time to Barcelona. Barcelona is pleased with Joao Cancelo’s contribution. He has scored three goals and provided four assists. Often a saviour, he covered both flanks. Initially, he was more active on the right side, but since Alejandro Balde’s injury, he has received more significant minutes on the left to avoid any issues. There is no doubt that both Barcelona and Joao Cancelo would like an extension of their partnership. However, such a scenario seems unlikely because Manchester City is hindering it. To put it more accurately, Barcelona still finds itself in an unenviable financial situation.Haaland is loving life at Manchester City – but he won’t be there foreverBarcelona and Manchester City have started negotiations regarding the Portuguese full-back. The player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has informed the decision-makers at Camp Nou that it will be difficult for Joao Cancelo to remain at the club under the formula envisioned by Barcelona: a new loan, for another year. Such an arrangement is out of the question from Manchester City’s perspective and they are not budging an inch.Barca‘s hero against Arsenal: ‘I have to respect my Cape Verde heritage‘Manchester City reportedly already has offers from clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Arabia. These offers are not for loans but for a permanent transfer of ownership, or buyout. It is expected that they will receive around 40 million as Joao Cancelo’s contract expires only in the summer of 2027. Manchester City is in no hurry; the full-back will have to return to Etihad after the loan expires unless Barcelona manages to ease their budget and extend enough sufficiently. However, who knows, perhaps the Portuguese player will once again drive everyone crazy, or perhaps he will again reject offers or make it clear to everyone at the club what will happen, so City might loosen up and agree to another loan. But for now, it doesn’t seem like that will happen.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE1/8 finals – first legWednesdaySporting – Atalanta 1-1 (1-1)/Paulinho 17 – Scamacca 39/Thursday20:45: (2.20) Roma (3.45) Brighton (3.25)20:45: (9.00) Qarabag (5.00) Leverkusen (1.40)20:45: (3.90) Sparta Praha (3.50) Liverpool (1.95)23:00: (2.00) Olympique Marseille (3.50) Villareal (3.80)23:00: (2.60) Freiburg (3.40) West Ham (2.85)23:00: (1.48) AC Milan (4.30) Slavia Praha (7.00)23:00: (1.60) Benfica (4.00) Rangers (5.70)***odds are subject to change***
