Barcelona delete Joao Cancelo transfer announcement as Man City wait

Barcelona confirmed that Joao Cancelo will not be staying with the club after his loan deal expired - before deleting the social media post.

Cancelo has spent the last year on loan with the La Liga giants after falling down the pecking order at Manchester City and falling out with Pep Guardiola. Prior to his Barcelona loan, the Portugal full-back had spent the previous six months at Bayern Munich.

The player has been vocal in recent weeks about wanting to continue at Barcelona, with a return to the Etihad not on the cards. However, while new Barcelona coach Hansi Flick may decide to go back into the market for Cancelo the defender's departure was briefly confirmed by the club on social media; the post was quickly deleted, although he is still expected to leave.

ALSO READ: Man City £5m transfer that blew away PSR worries in Premier League

ALSO READ: I tamed Liverpool and battled Pep - in the end I had to leave Man City

That puts City back into the position where they were last summer, with a player contracted until 2026 taking part in their pre-season despite not being in their plans for the season ahead. The Blues will have to work to find another club to take Cancelo - ideally on a permanent basis but a loan deal will be allowed - if Barcelona are unwilling to come back in for the player.

“It has to be the best for everyone," Guardiola said earlier this month. “The two clubs will sit down. He is our player and, if an agreement is not reached, he will have to return in the pre-season. If he wants to stay here [at Barcelona], and the clubs agree, it will be done again."

Cancelo added a few weeks later: "My hope is to continue in Barcelona. I am very happy there, and so is my family, let's hope I can continue there