Joao Cancelo loan switch to Barcelona halted in concerning development

Joao Cancelo’s proposed loan move to Barcelona from Manchester City is at risk of collapsing as a result of fresh financial woes.

The 29-year-old, who quit the Etihad Stadium in January following a rumoured training ground bust-up, was expected to join Barcelona on a season-long loan for the 2023/24 campaign.

Despite featuring during Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Asia, the full-back has been absent from the Sky Blues’ squad for all competitive fixtures; across the Premier League, FA Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.

Cancelo spent the remainder of last season at Bayern Munich, however the Bundesliga club opted against signing the Portugal international on permanent basis earlier this summer.

The defender, who made 26 appearances for Manchester City prior to his dramatic exit last season, is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027, having penned a new long-term deal months before the major fall-out.

Cancelo was expected to move to Barcelona on a season-long loan, where the 29-year-old would play alongside former Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan, with the German having signed for the La Liga club on a free transfer.

Manchester City and Barcelona had agreed the structure of the loan deal, which included the potential for the Catalan club to sign Cancelo for an estimated €25 million, next summer.

However, the defender’s move to La Liga is now claimed to be in “disarray”, with the potential for a deal to collapse due to Barcelona’s perilous financial position.

Pol Ballus reveals that Cancelo was prevented from flying to Barcelona despite being at Lisbon Airport ready to leave, as Barcelona currently are unable to afford the transfer.

The reigning La Liga champions are unable to ensure that Cancelo can be registered, with Barcelona’s current financial position meaning that they cannot sign the full-back – days before the closure of the transfer window.

Barcelona summer signings Inaki Pena and Inigo Martinez both remain unregistered, as financial problems cause further issues at the Nou Camp.

Cancelo signed for Manchester City for £60 million in 2019, and should the proposed deal to Barcelona fall through, it remains to be seen where the 29-year-old could play football during the campaign, despite insistence from Catalonia that a deal will be completed.