MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 03:52:05| >> :120:22654:22654:

Barcelona 'end interest in Joao Cancelo'

Barcelona 'end interest in Joao Cancelo'
© Reuters
Barcelona are reportedly ending their interest in Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo citing that the cost makes the deal impossible.

Barcelona have reportedly pulled out of the running for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo.

Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, but manager Thomas Tuchel is not interested in going back in for the Portuguese international this summer.

The 29-year-old is not wanted at City either after a well-publicised falling out between himself and Pep Guardiola which led to his move to Bayern.

However, Spanish outlet Sport claims that Barca have no interest in pursuing what would be such an expensive deal for somebody who would only be arriving on loan.

The Catalan club are said to be waiting to see if the player forces a move, but for now, with City calm over negotiations and not allowing Cancelo to leave on the cheap, Barca will look at other options.

Barcelona's Sergino Dest pictured in December 2020© Reuters

That may offer a route back into the Barca setup for Sergino Dest, who has returned following a disappointing loan spell at AC Milan.

Marca claims that Dest is the only remaining member of a group of five players that were set to move on but has not yet done so or agreed terms elsewhere.

Samuel Umtiti and Francisco Trincao have both already left while Clement Lenglet and Alex Collado are expected to join them out the door.

So with Dest's immediate future not clear, it could see him given an opportunity during pre-season to work his way back into the fold.

It would certainly only be as backup, though, given the number of players that Barca already have who can operate in full-back areas.

New FC Barcelona player Inigo Martinez poses for a picture during his presentation on July 13, 2023© Reuters

The recent signing of Inigo Martinez at centre-back means that Marcos Alonso may be able to play as a left-back more frequently this campaign, sharing duties with Alex Balde, while Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto are both options on the other flank.

Dest returns after a frustrating spell in Italy which saw him hardly get a look in under Stefano Pioli.

Despite formation changes from four to three-at-the-back midway through the season, Dest still could not force his way into the side regardless of the system in place.

Davide Calabria was preferred as an out-and-out right-back, while Alexis Saelemaekers and Junior Messias were chosen ahead of him as wing-backs.

Dest's last appearance for the club came in a 4-0 thrashing at Lazio in January when he deputised for an injured Theo Hernandez at left-back.

The USA international has played just three matches since, all of which came for his country.

ID:518564:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6172:

Click here for more stories about Joao Cancelo

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda in action with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior on April 2, 2023
Read Next:
Barcelona 'closing in on deal for teenager Ivan Fresneda'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!