Manchester City is apparently prepared to brutally approve the sale of a specific defender this month in an effort to push their record to five consecutive Premier League titles.
News about Man City transfers
Manchester City has had a quiet summer in terms of new hires. After all, how do you elevate a team that, only one season after winning the treble, has just won their fourth straight championship? Rather, the Citizens have had a stressful few months as both Ederson and Kevin de Bruyne have been linked to Saudi Pro League clubs, but both have decided to stay put thus far.
The Etihad has been linked to a bid for Ilkay Gundogan as Pep Guardiola’s possible final summer transfer window draws to an end. According to recent sources, the German player is expected to make a surprise comeback to Barcelona, just a year after saying goodbye with much emotion. With Fabrizio Romano delivering the renowned “here we go” to a move, it would be quite the move and quite the manner to follow up City’s victory over Chelsea on the first day of play.
One player is not likely to play as Manchester City prepares for an incredible homecoming. Joao Cancelo is getting closer to leaving on a permanent basis and has no future under Guardiola, thus Manchester City is reportedly prepared to accept offers for the full-back before the end of the month, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider.
The Portuguese international was undoubtedly one of Guardiola’s most vital players at one point in time, but since losing his spot under the Spaniard at the beginning of 2023, he has found himself out on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
With a rumoured weekly salary of £250,000 and a reputation for being forgotten at the Etihad, a permanent departure would certainly be in everyone’s best interests, especially in light of Al Hilal’s apparent interest.
Man City is past the “special” Cancelo.
Cancelo became an invaluable asset when Manchester City initially started experimenting with the idea of inverting their full-backs, a tactic that is now used throughout the Premier League. His versatility as a left- and right-back was crucial, but with the World Cup in Qatar, things swiftly altered. Cancelo went from being an essential player to being sent on loan to Bayern Munich. He witnessed Guardiola make an unexpected choice and turn to Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake.
After giving Cancelo such high marks years earlier—telling Manchester City’s official website in 2020 after a 1-1 draw against Liverpool—”He played exceptionally, with the ball and without the ball,”—the former Barcelona manager suddenly had a change of heart. He has a unique gift. He occasionally needs to be consistent when it comes to defence, but when he is, his focus is excellent. He plays football and is a great guy.
Perhaps Cancelo’s defensive inconsistency ultimately lost him a spot because Guardiola played with the same merciless intensity of a repeat winner. After five years, it appears that the full-back will soon leave the team on a permanent basis.