Barcelona want to bring back Joao Cancelo from Manchester City but with each passing day, this move is looking extremely unlikely which is why the Spanish giants have already started looking at alternatives.
According to reports, Barcelona want to bring Cancelo back to Camp Nou for another loan term but they understand it’s almost impossible because Saudi clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq want to sign him and Manchester City will prefer to offload him and get the full-back off their books permanently.
If Cancelo does not come back then Hansi Flick will have to bring in a new right-back for the 2024/25 season and according to the latest gossip in Spain, Barcelona have shortlisted Emerson Royal and Man United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Emerson Royal or AWB: Who is more suited to play for Barcelona?
Barcelona will need to bring in a world-class right-back at any cost and due to their financial constraints, the club have to target only bargain signings.
The first name on their wishlist happens to be Aaron Wan-Bissaka who has been put on sale by Manchester United because Ten Hag prefers to use Diogo Dalot in that role. Wan-Bissaka is valued at just €20 million and since his contract expires in 2025, Barcelona should be able to land him for as low as €25-30 million.
However, his style of play is absolutely not suited for a team like Barcelona because the English full-back might be very strong in defence and one-on-one situations but he becomes completely clueless once he finds himself in attacking situations.
His attacking contributions have slightly improved in the previous two years but despite that, the right-back put in just 4 successful crosses in 22 Premier League games. In 1781 minutes of league football, Wan-Bissaka created only 12 chances and made only 2 assists. Barcelona are a very attack-minded team and the same will continue under Hansi Flick so a player like AWB just won’t be able to add any value next season.
The second and much more logical choice would be Emerson Royal who has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs and Ange is ready to cash in on him. Tottenham want around €25 million for the right-back and despite their financial problems, Barcelona should be able to afford that amount without any major issues.
Also, Emerson Royal was on Barcelona’s books for a couple of years before they sold him to Spurs in 2021 due to financial reasons.
Emerson Royal is a much more attack-minded full-back and even though he could not shhone at Tottenham, the 25-year-old could prove his worth in the La Liga. AC Milan has already seen a €15 million bid turned down for Royal and if Barcelona are serious about landing him then they will have to act swiftly.
Unless Barcelona can table a permanent proposal for Joao Cancelo, there’s no way they will be able to bring him back and if they have to choose between Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Royal, the Spurs man is a much more pragmatic choice.
