Joao Cancelo remains the priority at Camp Nou, but a refusal to overpay has left the Catalan giants vulnerable as alternative targets move elsewhere.
FC Barcelona are in danger of leaving themselves short at left-back due to their protracted pursuit of Joao Cancelo. While the Blaugrana have reached a personal agreement with the Portuguese international following his loan stint, a final fee is yet to be struck with his parent club, Al-Hilal SFC.
The Catalan giants are determined to negotiate a lower transfer fee for the defender, a tactic that has seen talks grind to a halt. In the meantime, the pool of available elite full-backs is rapidly evaporating.
According to ‘SPORT’, Barca’s initial shortlist included Cucurella, Cambiaso, and Alejandro Grimaldo. However, the first has already completed a move to Real Madrid, the second is being chased by Chelsea, and the third has an offer on the table from Atletico Madrid.
As a result, every contingency plan to their primary target is on the verge of disappearing. Barcelona are now expected to ramp up the pressure for Cancelo, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Al-Hilal SFC just months ago and is entering the final year of his contract.
While the club had hoped to wrap up the deal before the financial deadline on 30th June, the complexities of dealing with the Saudi Pro League outfit suggest the saga will continue for weeks, leaving Barca dangerously exposed and without a plan B.