Pep Guardiola rejects claims Man City blocked Barcelona from signing Joao Cancelo in January insisting that Xavi had been ‘misinformed’

Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims by Barcelona colleague Xavi that Manchester City blocked Joao Cancelo from joining the club in the January transfer window.

Cancelo left the Etihad in January after falling out with Guardiola when he joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

In an interview with Catalan-language channel TV3 last month, Xavi revealed that Barcelona are interested in bringing the Portuguese full-back back to the club.

Xavi said the club had received an offer for Cancelo but was later informed that Man City had vetoed a move to the La Liga side.

‘We wanted Cancelo. They offered him to us and we gave the ok,’ Xavi said.

Barcelona boss Xavi claimed last month that Man City had blocked their move to Joao Cancelo

Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich after joining in January

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that Xavi has been misinformed over Cancelo

‘In the end they told us that Manchester City do not want him to come to Barca. 

‘That is true.’

Guardiola, who coached Xavi throughout his Barcelona career, refused to criticize the former player when asked about his comments about Cancelo.

The Manchester City manager has denied in Catalonia that the club blocked Cancelo’s move to Barcelona.

“He was misunderstood,” said Guardiola, according to Sport newspaper.

“He’s far from reality.” didn’t care.

“I’m not saying Xavi was deceived, but I’m saying he was misinformed.”

“Joan went to Bayern because Bayern wanted him.”

Cancelo made 21 appearances for Bayern after joining on loan in January, but the Germans have activated a £63m option to sign the full-back on a full deal. unlikely to.

Barcelona reportedly maintain interest in Cancelo. Reports last month suggested that Man City could accept a £34million offer.

Portugal international Cancelo joined City from Juventus in 2019.

Cancelo made 154 appearances for City, playing a key role in two Premier League titles and winning a medal this season. In addition, Cancello won the Carabao Cup three times.