Juventus agree deal for Valencia defender
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 22: Joan Cancelo of Valencia CF controls the ball during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Valencia CF at Estadio de Vallecas on August 22, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Joao Cancelo is closing in on a return to Serie A, this time with Juventus, who have agreed a fee of €38 million for the transfer of the defender from Valencia.
Last season, he was one of the division’s standout players as he starred on the right flank for Luciano Spalletti’s Inter while on loan, helping them reach the Champions League once again.
Negotiations between the Italian champions and Valencia have been ongoing for some time after the player returned to the Mestalla at the end of the season and a deal has now been struck.
Valencia are set to secure €38m for the Portugal international, having last week rejected an offer of €15m plus the services of Marko Pjaca.
Although there has been no official confirmation as yet, it is not expected that the deal is an initial loan move with the obligation to purchase Cancelo permanently, which Valencia had been pushing for due to Financial Fair Play issues.
The 24-year-old played 29 games last season and scored once, with Massimiliano Allegri specifically singling him out as a purchase to make due to his offensive abilities going forward.