Man City transfer not close despite Fabrizio Romano ‘agreed’ claims

Joao Cancelo is not close to joining Barcelona despite reports that the Manchester City defender is on the verge of leaving the club.

Reports in Portugal on Wednesday claimed the player was close to completing a move away from the Etihad, while Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Thursday morning stating that Cancelo has already agreed terms with Barcelona.

“Joao Cancelo has agreed personal terms with Barça, he wants the move... and Xavi wants him since January as priority target,” the Italian reporter wrote. "Talks now ongoing with Manchester City over deal structure. Barca plan revealed on Sunday: use part of Dembélé budget to try again for Cancelo.”

Xavi did confirm on Tuesday that Barcelona are in the market for a ‘pure full-back’ but ManchesterWorld understand that talks between City and the Spanish champions are not at an advanced stage and there is no expectation that the player is close to leaving.

Pep Guardiola is willing to allow the full-back to depart this summer, and the 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich following a training ground disagreement with the City manager. Guardiola could also give an update on the situation when he speaks to reporters on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley.

Cancelo has made 154 appearances for City since joining the club in 2019 and has scored nine goals. He was an integral part of Guardiola’s plans in the first part of last season, but struggled to gain a place in the side after returning from the World Cup break, which culminated in the Portugal international joining Bayern.

A tactical switch to a system using inverted is also not believed to suit Cancelo, who has excelled when attacking as overlapping full-back at City.

Meanwhile, the European champions have agreed terms for the transfer of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. A bid of €90m (£77.5m) has been accepted for the defender, who will complete his medical later this week.