Joao Cancelo’s Manchester City Exit on the Cards as Pep Guardiola Side Look to Offload Defencer
Joao Cancelo’s time at Manchester City is rapidly running out, with the Portuguese international seemingly destined for the exit door after a reported fallout with Pep Guardiola. The 30-year-old full-back has been a City player since 2019, but his playing time has been severely limited under the Spaniard’s management, prompting a loan move to Bayern Munich and later Barcelona.
Since making the switch to the Camp Nou side, Cancelo has rediscovered his best form, scoring four goals in 42 appearances and helping the Blaugrana reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. It’s no surprise, then, that Barcelona are keen to sign Cancelo on a permanent basis.
A Complicated Web of Deals
According to reports, Manchester City have begun working on a deal that would see Cancelo return to Barcelona on a permanent basis, but not before a potential loan move. City are reportedly open to letting Cancelo head back to Spain for the upcoming season, but with a mandatory option to buy him next summer.
Barcelona, on the other hand, prefer a non-mandatory purchase option or one that’s based on Cancelo meeting certain objectives. With Sporting Director Deco and new boss Hansi Flick both convinced of Cancelo’s quality, the Blaugrana are willing to play ball to get their man.
What’s Next for Cancelo and City?
While the details are still being ironed out, it appears as though Cancelo’s City chapter is set to come to a close. Despite still having three years left on his contract, the defender’s relationship with Guardiola is beyond repair, and a move back to Barcelona seems the most likely outcome.
Cancelo’s departure would mark a significant coup for Barcelona, who would gain a top-class right-back in the process. For Manchester City, it would be a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to resolve their issues with Cancelo sooner rather than later.
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