According to sources close to the situation, Al Hilal is on the brink of finalizing a deal to bring João Cancelo from Manchester City to the Saudi Pro League. The transfer is reported to be valued at an initial £21 million, with Cancelo set to earn around £15m a year, making it a significant move for both the player and the club.
João Cancelo, a Portugal international, has not seen much action with Manchester City in the past 18 months, spending time on loan at both Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Despite his lack of recent playing time with City, Cancelo has an impressive record of more than 150 games played and three Premier League titles to his name. He has also been recognized for his performances by being named to the PFA Premier League team of the year in both 2021 and 2022.
Cancelo last featured for Manchester City in January 2023 before embarking on loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona. While Barcelona expressed interest in retaining Cancelo, financial constraints allowed Al Hilal to swoop in and secure his services. The SPL club turned to Cancelo after being informed that Kyle Walker was not available, highlighting the strategic move by Al Hilal to strengthen their squad.
As the transfer deadline approaches, Manchester City is reportedly still considering adding another attacking player to their roster. Despite the departure of Julián Álvarez to Atlético Madrid, Pep Guardiola is said to be content with his midfield options following the return of Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona. However, the club is actively evaluating potential options to bolster their attacking lineup.
The impending transfer of João Cancelo from Manchester City to Al Hilal represents a significant move in the footballing world. With a substantial transfer fee and lucrative contract on the table, Cancelo’s impending departure from City marks a new chapter in his career. As City assesses their options ahead of the transfer deadline, it will be interesting to see how Guardiola’s side adapts to the changes in their squad composition. Ultimately, Cancelo’s move to Al Hilal is poised to make an impact on both clubs involved in the deal.
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