Man City full-back Joao Cancelo is set for a shock move to Bayern Munich before the window closes. A deal has been reached that also includes the full-option back’s to be purchased for £61.5 million (€70 million). Since returning from the World Cup, Cancelo has played in less games due to Pep Guardiola’s changes to the composition of his team. He had a limited role at City this season and has witnessed Pep Guardiola alter the team’s style and formation. He started 36 times for City in the Premier League last season. The interest from Bayern is reportedly brought to Man City by the agent of Joao Cancelo, and given the rise of Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake as a full-back, City has been willing to let Cancelo leave.
Since moving to City from Juventus in a £60 million deal in 2019, the adaptable full-back has been an important member of Guardiola’s squad and has helped the team win two Premier League championships. Since top-level domestic football returned in December, he has only started three games, suggesting that he has recently dropped down the pecking order. City believes they have enough covers because they have four additional senior center-backs at the club: John Stones, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and Manuel Akanji. Cancelo’s game has not been suited by changes to the side’s shape. It will now be interesting to see if a deal can be completed before the transfer window closes.
“In some ways, this transaction is extremely Bayern. They are excellent at seizing opportunities. They are prepared with the funds so they can act when such an occasion arises,” Kevin Hatchard said. “Alphonso Davies is unquestionably a certainty for the left-back position, but do they have a tonne of cover? Daley Blind was supposedly brought in to protect him. However, things are more problematic on the right side because they have Benjamin Pavard, who is not particularly supportive and has openly discussed the possibility of leaving in the summer.”
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