Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Joao Cancelo, Top Rumours Before January

Valencia are ready to sell right-back Joao Cancelo to Barcelona in the January transfer window.

That's according to Ramiro Aldunate of Marca (translated by Padraig Whelan), who stated that Los Che's stance is softening after the club previously made it clear that the 22-year-old would not be sold in the midseason market.

"Valencia's hierarchy are extremely unhappy with their indifferent form and are willing to make changes this winter and will listen to offers for players, including Cancelo," the report continued.

The Portugal international would fill a hole in the Barcelona squad, as they've had some issues with depth in the right-back spot. Here's a look at what Cancelo would potentially bring to the Camp Nou:

It's suggested in the piece that the former Benfica man is keen to stay at Valencia and said as much in a meeting with sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch.

Nonetheless, if Valencia are willing to let him go and Barcelona are keen to secure the right-back, then Cancelo would surely come round to the idea of joining the Blaugrana. He'd fancy his chances of pushing for a spot in the starting XI.

The Valencia man offers a tremendous attacking threat on the right flank, something Barca have lacked since Dani Alves departed in the summer. These numbers from Squawka Football show just how effective Cancelo can be with the ball at his feet:

Admittedly, Sergi Roberto has done a fine job at right-back so far this season for Barcelona, demonstrating defensive tenacity and an ability to link play in the final third. But manager Luis Enrique has barely used his deputy Aleix Vidal; according to the initial report, it's left Barca "desperate" for a right-back.

Cancelo is not the only man in the position who's been linked with Barcelona. Indeed, according to Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, the club are closing in on the capture of Shakhtar Donetsk veteran Darijo Srna.

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The Croatia international is 12 years Cancelo's senior, but he has excelled with the Ukrainian giants for the overwhelming majority of his career. If Barca want a temporary fix for the position and a player with experience at the highest level, he could be an ideal acquisition.

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC thinks a player of Srna's class could make a big difference, even if he only joined on a short-term contract:

Roberto's exploits in the right-back slot have given Barca time to fully assess their options, but it'll be interesting to see what direction the club goes in come January.

Enrique knows he has a reliable option in the position already in Roberto, a player who has become popular among the Blaugrana fanbase. As a backup option and someone from whom the 24-year-old could learn a lot, Srna may be the more sensible and economical option in January.

However, Cancelo is a player who could be at the club for a long time. The Valencia man might play second fiddle to Roberto initially if he joined, although he's a natural in the position and a footballer who still has a lot of improvements to make. With that in mind, the club may feel as though he's worth the extra outlay.