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Topics: Manchester City, Joao Cancelo, Premier League, Pep Guardiola
Josh Lawless
Topics: Manchester City, Joao Cancelo, Premier League, Pep Guardiola
Manchester City are reportedly ready to "facilitate the exit" of a player due to his "difficult relationship" with Pep Guardiola".
City allowed the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Cole Palmer to leave in the summer following on from a historic, treble-winning campaign.
Joao Cancelo also moved on but on a temporary basis for the second time in six months.
The Portugal international joined Bayern Munich on loan on the final day of the January window and then ended up playing against his parent side in the Champions League.
Cancelo helped Bayern win yet another Bundesliga title but the club did not take up the option to buy him.
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The former Valencia and Benfica man still has a contract with City until 2027 but has headed on loan to Barcelona.
Sport say that Arsenal and clubs from Saudi Arabia were interested in Cancelo but he only had eyes for Barca, where he's enjoyed a fine start and produced a stunning Champions League performance against Porto on Tuesday.
Barca wanted the chance to buy him outright for €30 million but City were not happy with that sum.
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Presently he is said to be valued at €50 million but that figure is expected to rise given his resurgence with the Blaugrana.
With his rapport with Guardiola reported to have got to the point where it is "beyond repair", Cancelo is believed to prioritise a permanent switch to Barca and they are hopeful of doing another loan deal with a mandatory purchase option.
"We are very happy with the performance of both," Barca sporting director Deco told A Bola when asked about Cancelo and compatriot Joao Felix.
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"They give a lot of quality to the team. Now it is too early to talk about their situation and we will have time to make decisions. Now is the time when the players must focus on the club's objectives and try to win as much as possible in all competitions.
"At this moment we shouldn't talk about the market."