Barcelona handed unexpected boost in Joao Cancelo chase

Cameron Smith

Updated: 17 Mar 2024 21:53 GMT
3 min read

Joao Cancelo, Barcelona, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Barcelona’s hopes of signing Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal this summer have improved thanks to Manchester City’s latest transfer pursuit.

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According to Matteo Moretto (via Football Espana), Pep Guardiola’s side are interested in signing Las Palmas defender Mika Marmol to bolster their options at the back and that deal could help Barcelona land Cancelo.

Marmol left the Blaugrana to join FC Andorra on a free transfer in 2022 and they included a 50% sell-on clause in the deal. Despite the fact he joined Las Palmas in 2023, Barcelona still retain the right to earn half of any fee he earns.

As a result, if he joins Man City this summer, Barcelona could use that money to fund their pursuit of Cancelo.

Marmol reportedly has a €30 million release clause in his current Las Palmas contract and the Spanish side are aiming to hold out for this price. Therefore, Barcelona could be in line to receive €15m - vital funds that could be used to sign Cancelo on a permanent deal.

Marmol, 22, has made 27 LaLiga appearances for Las Palmas this season and he has played a key role in why the newly-promoted side have the fifth-best defensive record in the Spanish top flight.

Joao Cancelo to join Barcelona on a permanent deal?

Cancelo has been one of Barcelona’s standout players so far this season, with the Portuguese international regularly contributing from left-back.

Despite his form, Cancelo was recently criticised by Spanish journalist Lu Martin, who said: “We have explained it several times. It’s a problem of attitude and behaviour. If there’s one thing Pep can’t stand it’s bad behaviour and being overweight.

“Cancelo’s behaviour was not the right one, although as a footballer he has tremendous quality. The same thing happened to him at Valencia. He didn’t leave because he didn’t play badly, he left because even God couldn’t stand him.

“At Barca as long as he plays, there is no problem, but the day he stops playing his character will come out,” Martin continued. “As long as he doesn’t have competition that won’t happen, but at City it was different, there was a lot of quality there.”