Manchester City eye sensational Barcelona swap deal involving Joao Cancelo and €1 billion player

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City could look to sign Barcelona star Alejandro Balde next summer as part of a proposed swap deal.

The 20-year-old, who signed a long-term contract until 2028 earlier this year, could be one of several Barcelona players to be sold by the Catalan club as part of a fire sale, as the La Liga side look to balance their finances.

Balde has been at Barcelona since 2011, and made his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich in 2021.

The Spain international has made 16 La Liga appearances and featured in all six Champions League Group Stage matches so far this season, but the left-back faces an uncertain future at the Camp Nou.

Sport Witness relay a report by Sport, with the Spanish outlet claiming that Balde could be targeted by Manchester City as part of a swap deal for Joao Cancelo next summer, with Barcelona keen to permanently sign the loanee in 2024.

Manchester City have been ‘informed’ of the situation by agent Jorge Mendes, who is reportedly proposing a player plus cash deal involving clients Cancelo and Balde.

Balde has a €1 billion release clause at Barcelona however the La Liga giants could be forced to sell some of their star players ‘no matter what’ amid fresh financial woes.

Despite the difficulties, Barcelona have repeatedly vowed to sign Cancelo permanently, although it remains to be seen whether the Portugal international could be afforded by the Catalan club.

Cancelo moved to Spain in the summer after Bayern Munich opted against signing the full-back permanently following a short-term loan in Bavaria, with the 29-year-old having had a dramatic bust-up at the City Football Academy in January.