Joao Cancelo agrees personal terms with European giants ahead of Manchester City exit | OneFootball

Manchester City are close to losing Joao Cancelo for the second time in eight months, after the defender agreed personal terms over a potential move to FC Barcelona.

The former Juventus and Inter full-back has been at the centre of long-standing uncertainty over his Manchester City future, after leaving the club on a six-month loan deal back in January in search of more consistent game time.

Reports at the time of his exit for Bayern Munich claimed that Joao Cancelo had been involved in a breakdown in relationships with staff at the club, including head coach Pep Guardiola.

With no resolution in sight between the high-profile Manchester City pair, and despite working together during the pre-season tour of Far East Asia, it is widely expected that Cancelo will no longer be an Etihad Stadium athlete beyond the conclusion of the ongoing summer transfer window.

Those expectations have further heightened with a fresh development on his situation, detailing that the 29-year-old is now moving closer towards a return to La Liga and a reunion with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres.

According to the information of transfer expect Fabrizio Romano, Joao Cancelo has now agreed personal terms with FC Barcelona, over a possible move to the La Liga champions that he favours this summer.

It is further explained that Barca boss Xavi has wanted to sign the Manchester City full-back since January, identifying him as a priority target. As such, Romano details that talks are now ongoing between the two clubs over a deal structure.

On how Barcelona intend on funding a potential move for the Portugal international, it is explained that Camp Nou bosses plan on using part of the budget secured from an Ousmane Dembele exit, after the Frenchman has been heavily linked with a PSG switch.

Information provided by Fabrizio Romano followed a report from Portuguese newspaper Record, who claimed on Wednesday night that Barcelona were ‘closer’ to finalising the signing of João Cancelo, after entering into ‘advanced talks’ with Manchester City.

Manchester City are on the verge of concluding a signing of their own in the coming days, after reaching an agreement with RB Leipzig over the signing of Croatia international central defender Josko Gvardiol.

The 21-year-old is due in Manchester in the coming days to undergo a medical with the Premier League and Champions League holders, after RB Leipzig agreed to a £78 million transfer fee for their star defender.

Gvardiol is unlikely to be registered as a Manchester City player in time for the upcoming FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, but could be in contention for a debut against Burnley on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.