Man City Agrees to Sell PFA Team of the Season Nominee Guardiola No Longer Wants
Manchester City has accepted an offer of approximately €25 million (£21.2 million) for a high-profile player that Pep Guardiola has decided to part ways with. The transfer is now contingent on the player agreeing to personal terms.
One such player who no longer fits into Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad is Joao Cancelo.
Despite being a top-tier talent and earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Season in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, Cancelo’s future at the club has been in doubt. This change came after Guardiola shifted his tactics, favoring center-backs in full-back roles.
Guardiola has frequently deployed central defenders like Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and Josko Gvardiol in full-back positions. This season, Rico Lewis has started at right-back, often moving into central midfield during matches.
Over the past 18 months, Cancelo has been on loan to Bayern Munich and Barcelona. While he was open to returning to Barcelona, the club’s financial difficulties have hindered a permanent move.
Cancelo rejoined Manchester City for first-team training this summer, and Guardiola recently suggested that the versatile defender might still feature in his matchday squads this season.
“He’s training with us,” Guardiola mentioned in a pre-season press conference. “We’ll see, maybe he stays, maybe he goes on loan. I’m not sure yet. He’s been training well and is passionate about playing football. We’ll see what happens.”
However, according to the latest update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Cancelo could be heading to Saudi Arabia.
Man City Accepts Al-Hilal’s Offer for Joao Cancelo
Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian club that won both the domestic league and cup last season, has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City.
The club’s €25 million (£21.2 million) offer has been accepted, and the focus now shifts to whether Cancelo will accept the substantial contract on the table.
Romano shared on social media platform X that “Al-Hilal has verbally agreed on a deal with Manchester City for Joao Cancelo. The fee is around €25 million. The decision now rests with Cancelo, who has been offered a €15 million net salary per season. A decision is expected soon.”
According to TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Rudy Galetti, Cancelo was initially hesitant to move to Saudi Arabia. However, his position has softened, and he is now more open to the possibility of a move to the Middle East.
Should Cancelo finalize the transfer, Manchester City is not expected to seek a replacement. However, they are actively looking for a substitute for Julian Alvarez following his record £81 million transfer to Atletico Madrid. The injury to Oscar Bobb, who suffered a fractured leg, has further motivated City to pursue late signings.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi has emerged as a potential target, and negotiating personal terms with the Japanese international is not anticipated to be a challenge.
