Barcelona could emerge as shock contenders for the permanent signature of Joao Cancelo this summer if Manchester City decide to sell him, according to reports in Spain.
City sanctioned a somewhat surprising loan move for Cancelo in January, with the Portuguese full-back joining Bayern Munich on loan for the rest of the season. That deal did include an option for the Bundesliga outfit to make it permanent for around £62million, but recent reports suggest they will not be doing so.
Should Pep Guardiola sanction a permanent sale of the defender, then there will no shortage of potential suitors for a two-time Premier League Team of the Year inclusion. And according to Spanish outlet Sport Barcelona may explore an approach.
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Club president Joan Laporta previously admitted his side will look to sign a right-back in the summer, and the report adds that the Blaugrana could explore another potential loan deal, should no other interested parties be willing to stump up the cash for a permanent sale.
Elsewhere, Football Insider reports that City will be willing to offload Aymeric Laporte this summer if if they can secure a top-level replacement.
Laporte has made just six Premier League starts this season, struggling for regular minutes after previously being one of Guardiola's first-choice defenders in the past. The Spain international is said to be deciding on his future between now and the end of the season, with a move away from the Etihad on the cards.
City have been linked to RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol in recent weeks and could allow Laporte to look elsewhere, should they secure a deal for the Croatian defender or someone of a similar ilk.
A number of clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe are said to be interested in the 28-year-old, with City ready to demand at least £40million, which is some way short of the £60million they paid for him in 2018.
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