Joao Cancelo’s Staying Power at Manchester City Tested as Saudi Pro League Side Enters the Fray
Joao Cancelo’s rollercoaster ride at Manchester City continues as a surprise club has registered interest in the Portuguese full-back ahead of the summer transfer deadline. The 30-year-old’s future at the Etihad has been shrouded in uncertainty, and it seems even Pep Guardiola’s loyalty isn’t enough to guarantee his stay.
Following a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich and a season at Barcelona, Cancelo returned to Manchester, but his performances haven’t quite recaptured the same level of excellence that earned him a spot in the starting eleven. His recent omission from City’s matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Chelsea only added to speculation about his future.
Enter Al Hilal, the Saudi Pro League outfit known for their willingness to splash the cash, who are now eyeing Cancelo as a potential replacement for out-of-favour full-back Saud Abdulhamid, set to join AS Roma. Esteve Calzada, Al Hilal’s chief executive, has revealed his club’s interest in the Portugal international, citing his ties to the City Football Group as a major plus.
Cancelo’s agent will know that City are unlikely to keep him beyond the summer, having already shipped out Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez to Spain. With just a handful of weeks left in the window, Cancelo’s representatives might be looking to secure a deal sooner rather than later.
Guardiola hasn’t been shy about canceling Cancelo’s plans, indicating that his departure is a possibility but not yet a certainty. "We’ll see," he coyly replied during a recent press conference. "Maybe he’ll stay, maybe he’ll go on loan. I don’t know yet."
While rumors of Cancelo’s exit remain just that, Al Hilal’s interest marks a significant development in what promises to be a thrilling climax to the summer transfer window. Will Manchester City cash in on their out-of-favour full-back or will they opt to keep him until the end of the season? Only time will tell.
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