Erling Haaland is making the headlines for all his goals this season, but Joao Cancelo is one of many players also impressing at Manchester City that doesn’t always get the plaudits.
The 28-year-old can play on both flanks with great success (10 PL games at left-back, one game at right-back this season), works hard to win back the ball (2 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per PL game) and is highly creative from defence (0.8 chances per PL game, 2 successful dribbles per PL game), so it’s no wonder Real Madrid are lurking.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th or lower
AS said in late-September that Cancelo was a transfer target of Real Madrid who could make a move next summer, but Guardiola would be foolish to let such a valuable player leave. Cancelo would be impossible to adequately replace and has shown no desire to leave City.
Real’s interest is understandable, but City don’t need the money from a potential sale and aren’t obligated to accept an offer as Cancelo has five more years on his contract.
City spent £60m on the Portuguese international who has gone on to make 200 appearances in all competitions since his 2018-move, paying him £80k-per-week in wages until 2024.
AS say Real would have to pay €40m-€50m (£34.9m-£43.6m) to stand a chance of signing Cancelo, but City won’t entertain that low offer. Unless Real put in a serious bid, he’s staying at the Etihad for the foreseeable.
In other news, predicted Man City XI to face FC Copenhagen
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