Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo is on his way to Bayern Munich after the full-back agreed on a loan deal to join the German champions for the rest of the season. The shock news was first reported by The Athletic journalist David Ornstein/@David_Ornstein alongside Pol Ballus/@polballus who stated the loan move for Cancelo will also include a loan-to-buy option in the summer transfer window.
Jack Gaughan/@Jack_Gaughan via the Daily Mail also stated the Portuguese full-back’s loan-to-buy will be €70m euros if Bayern feels inclined to do so.
In his City career, Cancelo appeared 154 times for the Blues, winning two Premier League titles and two League Cups. The full-back appeared in the PFA Team of the Year for two consecutive seasons, the 20/21 and 21/22 campaigns. Cancelo made 52 appearances for City last term, the most out of any player in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The question remains with Cancelo now exiting the club, will City replace him? With Rico Lewis and Kyle Walker as City’s only recognised full-backs and the pair being right-backs, it seems obvious that City need to bring in a replacement. However, according to Chief Manchester City writer for the Manchester Evening News Simon Bajkowski/@spbajko City feel they have enough cover in the squad without Cancelo’s presence and are not actively seeking a replacement.
From being lauded as the best full-back on the planet, appearing in multiple Team of the Year’s, being one of the first names on the teamsheet to seeking a loan move for more playing time. Cancelo signed a contract extension in February 2022 that would see him remain at City until 2027. Where did it all go so wrong?
The left-back will of fallen out with Pep Guardiola that much is certain, over what is yet to be revealed. Time will tell whether Cancelo has made the correct decision in leaving the Premier League champions.