Manchester City ‘refuse’ to budge on Joao Cancelo’s £25m asking price

the city of Manchester They appear to be unwilling to compromise on their £25million valuation of the defender João Cancelo.

The attack-minded full-back has made 154 competitive appearances since joining Man City from Juventus in the summer of 2019.

However, he has not played for the Citizens since January 2022 after an alleged falling out with the manager. Pep Guardiola.

After falling out of favor with Man City, Cancelo spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan with Bayern Munich.

The Portugal international then returned on loan last summer, joining Barcelona on a season-long loan deal, contributing four goals and five assists in 42 competitive appearances.

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Man City refused to budge on Cancelo’s asking price

Although the loan contract has come to an end, the president of Barcelona Joan Laporta confirmed that the club want to bring Cancelo back to the club.

Cancelo is keen on a return to the Catalan giants, but Man City’s asking price is proving to be a stumbling block.

Conformable Sun.the Premier League champions are reluctant to budge on their £25million valuation, with Cancelo still under contract until the summer of 2027.

Barcelona are unable to match Man City’s asking price due to their well-documented financial concerns, but will continue to pursue another loan deal for the 30-year-old.

However, the Citizens will only sanction another temporary departure if they receive a loan fee and Barcelona pay Cancelo’s £180,000-a-week wages in full.

Man City will also look to include an obligation to buy next summer as they try to get Cancelo off their books.

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Cancelo focused on Euro 2024

Guardiola has insisted Cancelo will have to return to the club for pre-season if Barcelona cannot agree a deal with Man City.

While he could still return to the Etihad Stadium, Cancelo has made it clear that his focus is currently on Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Cancelo told reporters: “It created some uncertainty (speculation over his future) when I was free, but from the first day here I forgot all that. I am 100% focused on the national team and 100% focused on helping Portugal.

“Euro 2020 was unfair to me (after missing the tournament due to Covid), and now I want to give an answer for myself, for my family, for those who love me and for my friends who wanted to be here, that a day. they dreamed, just like me, that’s why I will put all my cards on the table, give everything and help Portugal to the fullest”.

Cancelo is expected to be named in Robert Martinez‘s starting line-up when Portugal face the Czech Republic in their tournament opener on Tuesday.

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