The adaptable Portugal international left the Etihad Stadium in January, and reports suggest that the 29-year-old’s antics irritated Guardiola. Barca asserts that they were in the running before an agreement with the Bundesliga champions with their loan agreement with Bayern Munich, which includes the option for a permanent transfer.
Guardiola is adamant that no approach came from Camp Nou, and when questioned about Xavi’s comments, the former manager of Barcelona responded, “He has been misinformed. He is not in the actual world. We came to the conclusion that Joao had to depart, and if he wanted to join the city rivals Manchester United, we didn’t care where. Xavi was uninformed, not that he was lied to, I claim. Joao travelled to Bayern because they desired him. Barca didn’t make us an offer.
According to Xavi’s statement to TV3, Bayern Munich is not expected to use the €70 million (£60 million/$76 million) option that was given to them, and Barcelona is still interested in Cancelo: We desired Cancelo. We accepted their offer to let them have him. Finally, they inform us that Manchester City do not desire for him to join Barcelona. That is accurate.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Given that he missed the conclusion of City’s heroics in 2022–23 when they won the Treble, Cancelo seems to have no future at the club regardless of what transpires this summer. He also seems destined to play his club football outside of England in the upcoming season.