Real Madrid 'targeting' Man City star Joao Cancelo next summer, the rumoured fee would be a steal
Real Madrid have placed Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo on their shopping list for next summer, according to fresh reports in Spain.
Since signing for Manchester City from Juventus in 2019, Cancelo has claimed eight goals and bagged eight assists in 138 games for the club and developed into one of the best full-backs in European football under Pep Guardiola.
The 28 year old has played a key role in City's back-to-back title-winning seasons and, according to to Diario AS, he could be tempted by a move to the Spanish giants as they seek to bolster their squad.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to strengthen his full-back options as after losing the long-serving Marcelo for free in the summer to Greek club Olympiacos, with Ferland Mendy currently the only recognised option in that position.
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The report suggests that Madrid believe an agreement could be reached for around €50m which is very low considering Cancelo still has five years left to run on the deal he signed back in February, with his contract expiring in 2027.
Ancelotti isn't hesitant about signing top Premier League defenders either, having snatched Antonio Rudiger for free from Chelsea this summer with the German proving to so far be one of the Italian's favoured defenders since arriving.
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Despite Madrid's interest in Cancelo, however, City will surely be desperate not to lose another full-back and not at the price quoted for the Portuguese star, particularly following the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal this summer. Sergio Gomez was signed from Anderlecht but has been used as a deputy to Cancelo so far.
Cancelo is an integral member of Guardiola's squad and if Real Madrid are serious about signing him they will certainly need to up their reported offer. But if there is any team that can afford to spend big and attract the world's best, it's Los Blancos.
Zack Oaten