New Delhi: Joao Cancelo, the controversial Portuguese defender is all set for a permanent exit from Manchester City ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline. The Premier League champions have agreed terms with Saudi side Al Hilal for a £21m move that would see an end to Cancelo’s turbulent five-year spell at City.
The 30-year-old Cancelo has yet to play any competitive game for City since leaving on loan for Bayern Munich in January 2023 having fallen out with City manager Pep Guardiola over his status in the squad. A season-long loan at Barcelona followed last season but the club’s dire financial situation has prevented them from making the move permanent.
🔵🇸🇦 Al Hilal expect João Cancelo’s final green light to travel for medical as it’s all down to player’s approval.
The agreement with Man City is done as revealed for €25m package, already accepted.
⏳🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/6SD9orwDUz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2024
Joao Cancelo has been welcomed back into first-team training at City’s camp but he has not been involved in Man City’s Premier League games this season so far. Pep Guardiola has even made it clear privately that he would not feature for the club again. The defender joined Man City from Juventus back in 2019 for a whopping £13million-a-year salary.
Cancelo was not even part of the Community Shield victory when a number of City players were unavailable having featured at the European Championship in Germany. Initially, the number 7 was Guardiola’s first inverted full-back but he lost his place just after signing a new contract in 2022.
Now, Saudi Pro side Al Hilal have agreed to sign a three-year contract with the defender ending his stay at Etihad Stadium. If the personal teams get negotiated and Cancelo completes his move then he will take City’s agreed summer deals over £145m with a potential add-on rise to around £187m. He will link up with international teammate Ruben Neves and Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr at Al Hilal.
Man City have agreed a permanent exit for Joao Cancelo to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
