Barca and Villarreal meet over Juan Foyth

Barca have moved for Juan Foyth this week as Xavi Hernandez's priority target at right-back. The club already feared the worst, but director of football Mateu Alemany travelled to meet with the Castellon club's officials. Vilarreal will not sell Foyth unless it is for the release clause so the operation has been completely ruled out unless there is a last-minute U-turn.

The Blaugrana wanted to explore the possibility of Foyth at the insistence of the coach. The full-back was keen to join Barça, but he was not going to force the issue because he is grateful to Villarreal. Barça tried to lower the price of the player by offering a loan deal in exchange, but there is no negotiation possible.

Villarreal have already sold players for more than 100 million euros and are in a comfortable situation. They are not interested in getting rid of more key players and, for this reason, they would only offer to sell him for the 54 million euros figure of his exit clause. The door is more than closed and Barça consider that option as lost.

That is why the Blaugrana has reactivated its interest in Joao Cancelo, also pushed by his agent, Jorge Mendes, who has undertaken to bring him on loan at a reasonable price. They are talking to City and the player would reduce his wage bill, but it is still quite complicated because of the economic issue. 

Xavi has asked for an effort but the club does not see it as obvious to bring him in unless it is with very favourable financial conditions.