Barcelona Transfer News: Joao Cancelo, Aleix Vidal Swap Deal, Latest Rumours

Barcelona and Valencia are reportedly considering a swap deal involving their right-backs, Joao Cancelo and Aleix Vidal.  

Cancelo has emerged as Barca's preferred option to replace Vidal after the latter's poor display during a shock Camp Nou defeat to Alaves in September, per Radio Valencia (h/t Francesc de Haro for Sport).

According to the report, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique appears to have run out of patience with Vidal and technical secretary Robert Fernandez was dispatched to Valencia to watch Portuguese full-back Cancelo during their match against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

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Vidal signed for Barcelona last year and was seen by some observers "as the heir to Dani Alves," as noted by Ed Malyon of the Mirror

Malyon wrote: "Like Jordi Alba, his team-mate on the other flank, Vidal is a winger converted into a full-back, and his expert crossing and high-energy style marked him out as the ideal man to sit behind Dani Alves for a while before taking over the reins."

However, due to the solid form of Sergi Roberto at right-back the switch has not gone well for Vidal.

Conversely, 22-year-old Cancelo has put in some good performances at the Mestalla this season, piquing Barca's interest at potentially launching a move in January, according to Sport.

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A dynamic footballer, Cancelo has gained experience of playing further up the field at times for Valencia, most notably during the short-lived managerial reign of Gary Neville. His capture for €15 million in 2015 looks to be money well spent.

Indeed, Barcelona would now have to pay considerably over that fee to land the player, particularly midway through a season.

A move the other way for Vidal could represent a real opportunity to kick-start a flagging career.

Since signing from Sevilla in 2015, the 27-year-old has been frozen out by Enrique at Barca, and there now looks to be no way back.

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Vidal was signed by the club during a transfer ban so could only play competitive football from January 2016.

But when called upon he has struggled to fill the right-back spot amid the shadow of former player Alves, also signed from Sevilla, who was so successful during his time at the Camp Nou.

Signing for Valencia would give him the chance to regain his form and, in turn, confidence. Vidal, a converted winger, will also be keen to prove himself to his former paymasters if he does make the move away.