Barcelona ‘ready to turn to Tottenham flop loved by Xavi with Joao Cancelo transfer almost impossible’
BARCELONA are reportedly ready to turn to Tottenham flop Juan Foyth after a deal for Joao Cancelo proved too costly.
The LaLiga giants had wanted to sign the Manchester City star to strengthen the right-back spot.
The Citizens are keen to move Cancelo, 29, on this summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that a move that would see the Portuguese international move to the Nou Camp would cost the club too much.
The report suggests that the price of his loan fee and salary are currently “outside of Barca’s current economic parameters”.
It is then put forward that Foyth, 25, would be the alternative to Cancelo and that he is also manager Xavi‘s “preference” between the two.
Foyth’s deal with Villarreal runs until 2026, and the club would demand a transfer fee with a loan not up for consideration.
The Argentine would command a far lower salary than Cancelo, making his move more affordable for the Catalonians.
Though a transfer could then restrict Barcelona‘s ability to sign a new winger to replace Ousmane Dembele, who is close to joining Paris Saint-Germain.
Foyth joined Spurs back in 2017 but, after three years at the club, failed to cement himself in the starting XI.
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However, since leaving the club in 2020, initially on loan, he has rebuilt his reputation at Villarreal.
The Spanish outfit made the deal permanent in 2021 after he helped the club win the Europa League.
His form also earned him a call-up to the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in Qatar last year.
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