Barcelona ‘eager to make Joao Cancelo’s loan from Manchester City permanent next year’ after full-back’s impressive start… with hopes they can drive down £44m asking price

Barcelona are reportedly determined to sign Joao Cancelo permanently from Manchester City next year.

The Spanish champions pipped Bayern Munich to secure the Portuguese full-back for the season on deadline day back in September.

It came after Bayern opted against signing Cancelo, 29, permanently for £61.6million in order to prioritise funds for other signings such as Harry Kane.

But their loss has definitely been Barcelona’s gain with Cancelo quickly becoming an important figure in Xavi‘s team as first-choice right-back.

According to Football Espana, Barcelona are already working out a proposal for City, who want around £44m for Cancelo, with £22m up front and the balance spread over three years.

The Portuguese full-back has impressed since signing from City on deadline day 

Xavi has already seen enough positives from Cancelo to pursue his permanent signing

Diario Sport reported on Friday that Barcelona would rather go for another loan deal next season, but City would only accept that if it included an obligatory £30m purchase clause.

Much could depend on Cancelo’s feelings at the end of the campaign as to whether Barcelona pursue the deal and whether any other offers come in.

Cancelo has scored twice and claimed one assist in 14 appearances for Barcelona in LaLiga and the Champions League so far.

They currently sit third in the league table, four points behind surprise leaders Girona and two points behind rivals Real Madrid in second.

Xavi’s side have won three and lost one of their opening four Champions League group matches to sit top ahead of Porto on head-to-head record.

Barcelona resume their campaign after the internationals with a league visit to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday followed by a home Champions League game with Porto on Tuesday November 28.