Valencia have set a €30 million price tag for Barcelona target Joao Cancelo, but the right back will not possibly leave the Mestalla until next summer. The Catalan giants are in search of a long-term replacement for Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who joined Juventus in the previous transfer window, and the Blaugrana have been recently linked with a host of right-backs.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique currently deploys Sergi Roberto in the right full back position in defence and even though he has done a decent job so far, the club are in search for an alternative.
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Cancelo, who is one of the best right backs in the division, has been on Barcelona’s radar for quite a while now, but with Valencia reluctant to let go the youngster when the transfer window opens next month and Barcelona, not ready to splash the cash right now, the move to the Camp Nou would not possibly take place in January.
Valencia are preparing a contract extension for Cancelo to not lose him in January and the 22-year-old is also keen on staying at the club until the end of the campaign to turn their disappointing season around as the Los Che, having picked up just 12 points from 15 league games, find themselves 17th in the La Liga table.
Cancelo doesn’t want to leave, says Valencia sporting director
The club’s sporting director Suso Garcia Pitarch insists that the Portuguese international won’t leave the Mestella in January and the youngster is determined to help the club recover from their disastrous start to the season.
“I had many calls from him [Cancelo] when I returned from Singapore about a story that said he wanted to leave, but he told me that it was untrue," Garcia Pitarch said. “He is grateful to Valencia and is committed [to the club]. He wants to be here and does not want to leave the club in this situation. Cancelo is one of the best buys in club history.”
Cancelo’s career so far
The 22-year-old moved to Valencia from Benfica in the summer of 2014 initially on a loan deal and Valencia secured his services permanently at the end of the season for €15 million. Cancelo has made 67 appearances for the Los Che scoring three times and providing 6 assists.
The Portuguese international offers a constant threat on the right flank and he has completed 37 take-ons in the La Liga this season, which is the third-best in the league behind Neymar and Lionel Messi.
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With Cancelo’s move to the Camp Nou unlikely during January, the club are rumoured to be chasing a temporary solution to their right-back woes in the form of veteran full-back Darijo Srna. The 34-year-old, who is Croatia’s most capped player, plays his club football for Shakhtar Donetsk.
(Video Courtesy: FC Cunha YouTube Channel)
