Man City exit finally ‘completed’ as Fabrizio Romano reveals Barcelona excuse for unhelpful formula

Joao Cancelo is joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester City after aiming for the move all summer, reports are confirming.

Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich and has been a top target for Barcelona ever since to strengthen in the wider areas of their defence. Their task has been to find a way to make the move financially viable after their well-documented concerns in that area over recent years.

Towards the end of the transfer window, doubts began to emerge about whether they could actually sign the full-back. But now, they have found a breakthrough.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Cancelo deal – which will be a season-long loan – has been ‘completed’. There will be no option to buy at the end of the deal, which is put down to Financial Fair Play.

The Athletic, is also confirming that Cancelo is getting his move from Man City to Barcelona after all.

Both sources have relayed that his fellow Portugal international, Joao Felix, is also joining Xavi’s side on loan after a temporary spell with Chelsea earlier this year. Similarly, there will be no buy option in the agreement with Atletico Madrid.

There were recently rumours that Chelsea could try to take Felix back, but he has been openly dreaming about a move to Barcelona for several months and will get his wish.

Barcelona recently offloaded Ansu Fati on a shock loan to Brighton, which has given them a bit of leeway to bring in Felix as well as Cancelo.

Man City fail to agree permanent sale of Cancelo

Once Cancelo’s loan spell ends, he will be 30 years old and there will still be three more seasons on his commitment to Man City. The fact he is yet to be considered by them this season before his provisional exit does not reflect well on his future, though.

Before being sent away by Pep Guardiola, Cancelo made 154 appearances for Man City and was generally regarded as one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

Now, he will be back in La Liga after a previous spell in the Spanish top flight with Valencia.

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