Manchester City and Barcelona in Talks Over Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo Swap Deal

Manchester City are in advanced talks with Barcelona over a proposed move for Nelson Semedo, with compatriot Joao Cancelo offered as part of a swap deal.

City signed Cancelo for £60m from Juventus last summer, but he has featured just 11 times in the Premier League this season. Pep Guardiola is poised to raid former club Barcelona for Semedo as an alternative right-back option instead.

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According to Spanish news outlet Sport, the two clubs are in ‘advanced talks’ over a cash plus player deal for Semedo, which would involve Cancelo moving in the opposite direction.

Semedo was keen to depart the club last summer, but was persuaded to stay by the promise of more game time.

He has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, but the 26-year-old’s Nou Camp contract expires in 2022, and renewal talks stalled recently.

Barcelona therefore want to cash in on Semedo before his valuation drops, but would be prepared to do a money plus player deal.

City were one of a number of interested parties last summer, alongside Atletico Madrid, but Barcelona were not prepared to listen to offers.

However, the financial implications of the ongoing coronavirus crisis have changed the situation at the club.

The Catalan giants have given Semedo’s agent Jorge Mendes permission to negotiate an exit for his player, and have set an asking price of £39m (€45m).

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City are front runners to secure Semedo’s signature, and according to the report, it is ‘essential’ for them to include Cancelo as part of the deal.

The Portuguese right-back has played second fiddle to Kyle Walker since arriving at the Etihad last summer.

Barcelona originally just wanted cash for the former Benfica man, but the chances of Cancelo being involved are now ‘high’. Sport state that a deal is getting closer, and it’s likely an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks.

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