Manchester City owner has finally decided Joao Cancelo future at the club after Loan to Barcelona

In light of his uncertain future at Manchester City, Joao Cancelo has once again expressed his strong desire to remain at Barcelona.

Although Cancelo is under contract with Manchester City until 2027, he spent the previous season playing in La Liga on loan. His departure to Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023 was fraught with tension, and it appears unlikely that Cancelo will be able to revive his career at Manchester City.

During his time at Barcelona last year, Cancelo has voiced grievances against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, accusing them of being unappreciative and misleading about the circumstances of his departure.

“I truly enjoy being at Barça; I feel extremely comfortable here,” said Cancelo, who is currently representing Portugal in the Euro 2024 championship. “My wife, my daughter, and my entire family love it here. We hope to come back next year.”

Reports from Spain indicate that Manchester City has informed Barcelona that they would only permit Cancelo to return on loan for another season if Barcelona agrees to purchase him for £25 million at the end of the 2024–2025 season. Manchester City originally paid nearly £60 million for Cancelo.

While Cancelo’s preference to stay at Barcelona is clear, Guardiola hinted last week at a potential change in plans, stating that Cancelo would be included in Manchester City’s pre-season group if his future remains unresolved. Decisions about the 30-year-old defender’s future are expected to be made after Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign.

When asked about his future on the eve of the tournament, Cancelo acknowledged the prior speculation caused some unease but said he has been focused on the national team since arriving at the competition. “Barcelona is eager to re-sign me for the upcoming season, but my focus is entirely on the national team and supporting Portugal,” he said.

Reflecting on his past experiences, Cancelo mentioned that Euro 2020 felt unfair to him after he was disqualified due to a positive Covid test. “I now feel compelled to prove myself for my loved ones, my friends, and myself, fulfilling our shared dream of being here. I will give it my all and do everything in my power to support Portugal,” he stated passionately.