Manchester City has reached an agreement with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal to sell Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo for £21.2 million. The deal, if finalized, will mark the end of Cancelo’s five-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, during which he both impressed and fell out of favor under City manager Pep Guardiola.
While personal terms are reportedly not expected to be a stumbling block, Cancelo has yet to agree to the move. Should the 30-year-old defender accept the offer, he is anticipated to sign a three-year contract with the Riyadh-based club.
Cancelo’s time at Manchester City has been marked by both success and controversy. He initially became a key figure under Guardiola, pioneering the role of an inverted full-back and earning plaudits for his versatility and attacking prowess. However, despite signing a new contract with City in 2022, Cancelo’s relationship with Guardiola soured, leading to his unexpected loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona over the past 18 months.
The tension between Cancelo and Guardiola first became apparent after Cancelo lost his starting spot just months after his contract renewal. This led to a disagreement that ultimately saw him shipped out on loan in the middle of City’s 2022-2023 campaign.
Despite his talent, the lingering discord made a permanent return to Guardiola’s side unlikely. Guardiola himself acknowledged this dynamic earlier this month, stating that while Cancelo could theoretically play for City again, the circumstances of their previous fallout would likely be a significant obstacle.
Cancelo’s exclusion from City’s recent matches has further fueled speculation about his future. He has not featured in either of City’s opening Premier League games this season and was also absent from the squad for the Community Shield victory over Manchester United.
His omission from these fixtures, combined with the emergence of other defensive options at City, suggests that his departure has been in the works for some time.
If Cancelo does complete the move to Al-Hilal, he will join a growing list of high-profile players who have opted to continue their careers in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Pro League has been attracting numerous top talents with lucrative contracts, as the kingdom seeks to bolster the league’s profile on the global stage.
For Manchester City, the sale of Cancelo represents both a resolution to a long-standing internal conflict and an opportunity to further invest in their squad. With the transfer window still open, City may look to reinvest the funds from Cancelo’s sale into strengthening their squad as they aim to defend their Premier League title and push for further success in Europe.
