Valencia 'rule out' January exit for Joao Cancelo amid Barcelona and Manchester United links

Valencia hope to keep Joao Cancelo at Mestalla until at least the end of the season, despite speculations linking the Portugal international with a January switch to Manchester United, Manchester City or Barcelona. Super Deporte suggests Los Che are ready to consider a summer transfer, but are not interested in any move in the upcoming window.

Cancelo moved to Mestalla from Benfica in the summer of 2015 in a deal worth €15m (£13.4m, $16.4m). The 22-year-old has since shown flashes of brilliance in La Liga, playing both in his original position as a right-back and also in the wings due to his special dribbling skills.

Mundo Deportivo recently reported that Barcelona had been tracking the player's potential, as they still need an offensive full-back to fill the gap left by the departure of Dani Alves to Juventus.

Aleix Vidal has fell out of favour with manager Luis Enrique, and is expected to leave the club on either a permanent or loan basis in the upcoming mercato.

The Catalans have also been linked with Arsenal star Hector Bellerin, but Mundo Deportivo reports that Cancelo is now the club's priority target, as the Gunners are not ready to negotiate the sale of their right-back on the cheap.

Marca reported earlier this week that Barcelona face stiff competition to sign the Valencia defender, as both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in his services.

Jose Mourinho has Antonio Valencia to cover the role at Old Trafford, but Matteo Darmian has failed to convince the boss he deserves a regular place in his plans during the opening part of the season. The Italian's agent recently suggested he could even leave Old Trafford in January.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is also said to be in the market for a young right-back as Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are already 31 and 33. Manchester City have also been linked with Bellerin but Marca suggests they are also keeping tabs on Cancelo's development as an alternative to the Arsenal right-back.

Valencia local publication Super Deporte has now backed those claims, reporting that Manchester United, Manchester City and especially Barcelona have been attracted by Cancelo's impressive start to the season in La Liga.

However, they report that any suitors will have to wait until the summer to secure his services as Valencia are not ready to part ways with him in January at any price.

Valencia have been forced to sell their biggest starts in recent years, including Barcelona duo Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes, Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi and Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi.

In this sense, the Spanish publication suggests that a bid of around €30m could be enough to lure the Portugal star away from Los Che in the summer, although his release clause is set at €50m.