Al Hilal are on the verge of securing the services of João Cancelo from Manchester City, according to a reliable source. The Portugal international is poised to make a switch to the Saudi Pro League in a deal valued at an initial £21 million ($28m). Cancelo is reportedly close to finalizing a contract worth approximately £15m per year.
The 30-year-old has been out of action for Manchester City for the past 18 months, with loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona during that time. Despite returning to training with the Manchester side this summer, Cancelo was left out of the squad for the first two Premier League matches against Chelsea and Ipswich Town.
Having played over 150 games for City and securing the Premier League title thrice, Cancelo has been a key figure in the team. His exceptional performances also earned him a place in the PFA Premier League team of the year in both 2021 and 2022. Cancelo’s last appearance for City was in January 2023 before making a surprising loan move to Bayern Munich.
While Barcelona expressed interest in the defender, financial constraints prevented them from pursuing the deal further. This paved the way for Al Hilal to take the lead in the race for his signature. Cancelo, who has previously played for Benfica, Valencia, and Juventus, caught the attention of the SPL side.
Despite Cancelo’s imminent departure, sources reveal that Manchester City is contemplating adding another attacking player to their roster before the transfer deadline on Friday. Manager Pep Guardiola seems content with his midfield options following Ilkay Gündogan’s return from Barcelona. However, the club is actively assessing several strikers after Julián Álvarez’s move to Atlético Madrid.
Al Hilal’s pursuit of João Cancelo signifies a significant move in the transfer market, while Manchester City continues to strategize for the upcoming season. The dynamics of player movements and team strategies underline the competitive nature of modern football.
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