Joao Cancelo close to joining Bayern Munich on loan from Man City – sources

Bayern Munich are closing in on a deal for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, sources have told ESPN.

The German side are hoping to reach an agreement which would see Cancelo move immediately on an initial loan with an option for a permanent deal in the summer for €70 million.

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Cancelo is keen to leave the reigning Premier League champions after seeing his game time limited recently.

The 28-year-old was a regular in Pep Guardiola’s team at the beginning of the season but has started just five of the last 14 games in all competitions.

A dip in form also saw him lose his place for Portugal during the World Cup in Qatar.

Sources have told ESPN that Guardiola is open to letting Cancelo leave after being impressed with Rico Lewis’ emergence and with Nathan Ake’s performances at left-back.

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City have not offered Cancelo to other clubs but Bayern’s bid is thought to represent good business for the club and the player.

Cancelo arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Juventus in 2019 and was key to Premier League title wins in 2021 and 2022. Last season, he made 52 appearances in all competitions and featured in 36 of City’s 38 leagues.

He was also named in the Premier League team of the year in both 2021 and 2022.

Sources have told ESPN that City are unlikely to try to replace Cancelo if he moves to Bayern before the deadline with Guardiola feeling he has enough cover at full-back and centre-back to cope without him during the second half of the season. City remain in the hunt for three trophies in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.