- Barcelona has already offered €15M to finalize the transfer.
Background - Initial Talks: Barcelona initially approached Manchester City about a loan deal for Cancelo, aiming to strengthen their full-back position without committing to a permanent signing.
- Player’s View: Cancelo was open to the move, expressing excitement about playing for Barça and being closer to his family in Spain.
What Went Wrong
- Financial Challenges: Despite working to stabilize their finances under La Liga’s tight and often changing financial rules, Barcelona couldn’t finalize the loan fee and meet salary obligations in time. Restrictions on their wage budget and spending ultimately forced them to step back.
- Timing Problems: Negotiations dragged on too close to the transfer deadline. As time ran out, Barcelona failed to complete the paperwork and registration, causing the deal to collapse.
- Manchester City’s Position: Sensing Barcelona’s delay, City began exploring other loan options or reconsidered Cancelo’s place in their squad, doubting Barça would finalize the move in time.
What Cancelo Said (and Didn’t Say)
- Cancelo voiced his desire to join Barcelona, excited about playing in La Liga and being near family.
- However, he never officially confirmed that the deal was off. Sources say talks are technically still open, but financial and timing issues remain major obstacles.
- Cancelo has since resumed pre-season training with Manchester City, though the possibility of a late deal remains.
Bottom Line
There’s no bad blood—just a mix of financial limits, regulatory hurdles, and last-minute timing that prevented Barcelona from completing the move. The loan deal isn’t entirely dead; if Barça can sort out their finances or find a middle ground, the transfer could still happen before the window closes
