Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has confirmed his hopes of signing Lionel Messi this summer while claiming that Pep Guardiola vetoed the club’s plan to land Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.
Cancelo joined Bayern Munich on a loan deal in January for the remainder of the campaign but he will now return to the Etihad this summer. The Portuguese international is expected to be put up for sale by the Premier League champions with Barca among the clubs interested.
The 29-year-old defender left City after an alleged falling out with boss Guardiola over a lack of game-time. His fall from prominence in Manchester came as somewhat of a surprise after playing a pivotal role in their success over several seasons.
Yet Bayern were not the only team who were chasing his signature in January. Barca boss Xavi has confirmed that they were hopeful of landing the versatile full-back, only for Guardiola to pull the plug on the deal and instead send the player to the German champions.
Xavi told Catalan media outlet TV3 : "We wanted Cancelo. They offered him to us and we gave the OK. In the end they tell us that Manchester City do not want him to come to Barca. That is true."
The Barca boss also reiterated his desire for his former teammate Messi to re-join the club this summer. The Argentine superstar is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined from Barca two summers ago, with the club pausing talks to extend his contract.
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In April, Barcelona transfer chiefs confirmed contact had been made with Messi regarding a potential return to the Camp Nou. There is also an offer on the table for the Argentine superstar from Saudi Arabia – although it is thought Messi would prefer to remain playing in Europe.
A move to the Middle East would see him follow the path of Cristiano Ronaldo and would signal the end of his involvement at the highest level of football. Messi’s preference is to return to Barca but the club’s financial situation may prevent them from facilitating a move.
"It depends on him," Xavi continued when asked about the possibility of Messi’s return. "If he wants to come to Barça, we will do everything necessary so that he can come. I think the conditions are right. Football-wise I think he could still help us a lot. But it depends on him 99 percent."
