Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Joao Cancelo and Karamoko Dembele

Barcelona continue to be linked with Valencia full-back Joao Cancelo, with the latest rumours suggesting the club will sell Aleix Vidal in January to free up space and funds for the Portuguese starlet. Meanwhile, the Blaugrana are said to be no longer interested in Celtic teenager Karamoko Dembele.

According to Spanish outlet COPE Valencia (h/t Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz), Cancelo's agent, Jorge Mendes, has traveled to Barcelona and is working on a deal, but several issues still stand in the way.

The most obvious factor is Vidal, who has barely featured for the club this season and is expected to leave Barcelona in January. His departure would open up a slot in the squad and free up some cash that could go toward a replacement.

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Per the report, Valencia value the defender at €20 million, and with few other options available, the Catalans are happy to part with such a fee for the 22-year-old.

Cancelo moved to Valencia from Benfica in the summer of 2014, initially on loan before completing a permanent switch in May of last year. He played a fair amount of minutes last season, notably replacing star full-back Jose Gaya on the left side of the defence when the latter was injured.

This year, the Portugal international has flashed his versatility even more, as he's frequently played further up the pitch as a right winger. He's still seen as a right-back in the long term, however, as he has the vision and positioning skills to be effective defensively and the athleticism and stamina to be a force all over the wing.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

His attacking mindset and ability to contribute in the attacking third might remind some fans of Dani Alves, Barcelona's longtime starter at right-back who moved to Juventus last summer.

FourFourTwo's Paul Wilkes is a fan:

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Cancelo has tremendous energy and, combined with his dribbling skills, is a dangerous threat for opponents. His crossing is good, so much so that he often takes corners for Los Che, but it's his through-ball efficiency that surprises defences most.

He isn't all about creating chances in the attacking third, though: his defensive contributions have developed and will likely do so further in the next few years. His adaptability is another redeeming feature, with Cancelo possessing the ability to not only play further forward, but also fill in at left-back.

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Sergi Roberto has done a fine job as Barcelona's starter at right-back so far, but should Vidal leave the club―which seems ever more likely―some depth will be needed. Cancelo has already shown he's ready to play in La Liga but also has the long-term potential Barcelona seek in transfer targets, making him an ideal replacement.

Whether Valencia are willing to sell in January is a whole other matter, however. Los Che lost two of their top players to the Catalans in the summer, with both Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes leaving, and they won't be too keen to lose yet another piece to the same club.

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Elsewhere, Sport (h/t Daily Record) reported Barcelona will not be moving for teenage starlet Dembele, the 13-year-old prodigy who has been linked with just about every top club in Europe.

The youngster has already made his debut for Celtic's under-20 side and is widely regarded as the top talent currently in Scotland. As shared by Sporf, he has also featured for Scotland's under-16 team:

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Barcelona pride themselves on their ability to nurture young talent, and La Masia is one of the top destinations for the world's best youngsters. Celtic seem to be doing a fine job with Dembele, however, and he seems unlikely to move to a different club any time soon.