Reports have emerged that Al Hilal is on the verge of securing the signing of João Cancelo from Manchester City. The Portuguese international is reportedly set to make a move to the Saudi Pro League in a deal that is said to be worth an initial £21 million. Cancelo is also rumored to be close to finalizing a contract that would see him earn around £15 million per year.
Despite being a key player for Manchester City in the past, Cancelo has not featured for the team in over 18 months. The 30-year-old defender spent time on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona before returning to training with City earlier this summer. However, he was left out of the squad for the first two Premier League matches of the season against Chelsea and Ipswich Town.
During his time with Manchester City, Cancelo made over 150 appearances for the club and played a significant role in helping them secure three Premier League titles. He was also recognized for his performances by being named in the PFA Premier League team of the year in both 2021 and 2022. However, his last match for City was back in January 2023 before embarking on a loan spell with Bayern Munich.
While Barcelona had shown interest in bringing Cancelo back this summer, their financial constraints have allowed Al Hilal to take the lead in the race for his signature. The Saudi Pro League side turned their attention to Cancelo after being informed that Kyle Walker was not available. Cancelo has also had stints at Benfica, Valencia, and Juventus throughout his career.
Despite the potential departure of Cancelo, it has been reported that Manchester City are still considering adding another attacking player to their squad before the transfer deadline. Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, is said to be content with his options following the return of Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona. However, the team is actively assessing various strikers in light of Julián Álvarez’s move to Atlético Madrid.
João Cancelo’s impending move from Manchester City to Al Hilal marks a significant development in the football transfer market. The Portuguese defender’s journey with City has had its highs and lows, but a new chapter seems to be on the horizon as he looks set to make a fresh start in the Saudi Pro League.
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