‘Remains the Priority’: Barcelona Focus on Manchester City Man Amid Transfer Chaos

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Shreyansh Khadse | Last updated 8/2/23

FC Barcelona are expected to try and sign a Manchester City player this summer according to Fabrizio Romano. The Catalan side are in the midst of a transfer saga involving Ousmane Dembele, with reports suggesting that the Frenchman has agreed a five-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain. The La Liga team also have an alternative option lined up, with those negotiations already in advanced stages.

Barcelona Eyeing Manchester City Defender

Ousmane Dembele Deal Crucial

The French winger is inching closer to a move to the French capital. Romano reported that the ‘initial green light to the proposal has arrived’. The transfer market expert reported that PSG will pay a fee between £21 million and £43 million for the former Dortmund man.

The part of this transfer fee that the La Liga champions receive from the deal will be used to fund their move for the City defender.

Barcelona to Try and Sign Joao Cancelo

Barcelona are expected to give at least one more try to bring in João Cancelo by using part of Dembélé budget.

This remains the plan revealed here on Sunday; otherwise, Barça will complete Iván Fresneda deal — already advanced with Valladolid https://t.co/trS1RXI8ZA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2023

The Spanish giants are reportedly going to try and sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City. He “remains the priority” for the club aiming to fix their right-back woes. Xavi Hernandez played Jules Kounde, a natural centre-back in the right full-back position last season owing to the lack of options available to him.

Sergino Dest, the only other right-back in the squad failed to impress during his loan spell at AC Milan last season. This has led to the Blaugrana setting their sights on the Portuguese international, who spent some of last term on loan at Bayern Munich.

The transfer guru wrote on his social media that: “Barcelona are expected to give at least one more try to bring in João Cancelo by using part of Dembélé budget. This remains the plan revealed here on Sunday; otherwise, Barça will complete Iván Fresneda deal — already advanced with Valladolid”

Ivan Fresneda: The Alternative Option

The Italian gave a further update on their pursuit of a right back. Although Cancelo remains the number one priority for the club, Ivan Fresneda is the backup option. That deal will be completed if Barca fails to reach an agreement with the Premier League champions for their number 7. Romano suggests that the deal with Real Valladolid is already at an advanced stage for the young right-back.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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