Danilo holding up Man City move for Joao Cancelo

Danilo

As per a report from the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester City defender Danilo is the main sticking point in negotiations between Juventus and the Citizens over Joao Cancelo.

Juve stint

25-year-old Portuguese international Cancelo only joined Serie A champions Juventus last summer, in a 40 million Euro deal from Valencia, after impressing on loan with Inter Milan the season prior.

The versatile stopper is generally deployed at right-back, with Cancelo having long been revered for his attacking abilities.

The former Los Che standout’s first season in Turin, though, proved something of a hit-and-miss affair.

Cancelo opened up the campaign in absolutely scintillating form, burning up and down Juventus’ right-flank with passion and quality in equal measure.

The stopper took little time in proving exactly why the Bianconeri had opted to splash out such a hefty fee on his services, quickly establishing himself as a firm fan-favourite.

The second-half of the season, though, proved a far more testing affair.

As Juve’s performances consistently left a lot to be desired, Max Allegri often opted for the more-defensively sound Mattia De Sciglio over Cancelo.

The 14-time capped international also came under heavy criticism for his performance in the first-leg of the Old Lady’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Ajax, as Cancelo gifted the Dutch giants an equalizer, amid a dismal all-round display.

Man City links

Nevertheless, though, on the back of Max Allegri’s departure being made official back in May, it was widely-predicted that Cancelo would be afforded the opportunity to rediscover his brilliant best at the Juventus Stadium next season.

A growing number of reports across Europe this summer, however, suggested that this would not be the case.

First off, Romeo Agresti, regarded as the source when it comes to Juventus transfer news, revealed last month that talks had been opened between the Bianconeri hierarchy and Premier League champions Manchester City, over an Etihad switch for the 25-year-old:

Agresti subsequently went on to add that a ‘breakthrough’ had been made in negotiations between the clubs, with a ‘final agreement’, worth 50 million Euro plus bonuses, having been expected to be reached.

To this point, however, such a deal has not been forthcoming.

Danilo barrier

And, despite subsequent claims that Juventus had decided to take Cancelo off the market, widespread reports today suggest that negotiations are back underway between the Old Lady and City.

Gianluca Di Marzio, meanwhile, has since provided an insight into the situation.

Juventus are said to value their stopper at 60 million Euro.

The key to any potential deal between the clubs, though, is Danilo.

City are desperate to include the Brazilian in part exchange for Cancelo, with Juve warming to such a possibility.

However, the sticking point is Danilo’s valuation.

City believe that the 28-year-old is worth around 30 million Euro. Juventus, on the other hand, see a lower price-tag as more fitting.

In addition, the Bianconeri are yet to agree personal terms with Danilo.

As such, though talks are firmly back in place, Di Marzio labels the transfer as an ‘uphill’ battle.