The closure of the summer market has left a trail of tension and disagreement between the sporting leadership of FC Barcelona and its Manchester City counterpart. Although the English club loaned Joao Cancelo to the Catalan side without the need for a financial loan, the operation was marked by the intervention of Jorge Mendes, the winger’s agent, and Pep Guardiola’s alleged refusal to sign the player . These factors have helped exacerbate already existing tensions between the two clubs.
Relations between the two clubs have been questionable since January last year. According to Barcelona, City would have turned down Joao Cancelo’s loan deal even though the Catalans were no longer considered rivals in the Champions League. Although Guardiola denied this statement, Barcelona get the impression that the English club didn’t want to give up the player, even though this was already the player’s will.
This summer, tensions escalated over Barcelona’s failed attempt to sign Bernardo Silva, according to MundoDeportivo. Despite the player’s interest in a potential transfer, Barcelona feel belittled by City’s alleged lack of confidence in their financial ability to go through with the deal. In addition, the Culés complain that Manchester City have been trying to take on young talents like Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde and Pau Cubarsí from La Masia, fueling the fire even further.
distrust between clubs
One of the most controversial aspects was City’s statement that they were unaware of the agreement between Barcelona and Jorge Mendes for Joao Cancelo. This statement, made this week, caused a stir at Can Barça as the agent made sure everything was agreed. This apparent contradiction has further increased distrust and anger between the two clubs.