Manchester City is on the verge of finding a new home for Joao Cancelo as two Saudi Arabian clubs, Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq, have stepped forward with an offer to meet the club’s €30 million asking price for the defender.
The prolonged transfer saga, which has spanned over 40 days, could finally see a resolution.
Cancelo, who had fallen out of favor with Pep Guardiola, has been at the center of various transfer rumors this summer.
Despite some fans calling for his return to the squad, Guardiola has no plans to reintegrate the 30-year-old Portuguese international into his Premier League-winning side.
While clubs in Italy and Barcelona have shown interest, the financial constraints at Barcelona have complicated negotiations. The Catalan club’s preference for a loan deal with a non-mandatory buy option clashes with City’s demand for an obligatory purchase clause.
This has opened the door for the Saudi Pro League clubs, who are ready to secure Cancelo’s services on a permanent basis.
However, Cancelo remains focused on a return to Barcelona, having already agreed to personal terms with the La Liga giants.
Despite the lucrative offers from Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq, Cancelo’s reluctance to move to the Middle East poses a significant hurdle.
This situation isn’t unfamiliar territory for Manchester City. The club has engaged in multiple discussions with Saudi Arabian teams this summer, most notably over the potential transfer of Ederson.
Although Al-Ittihad’s pursuit of the Brazilian goalkeeper appears to be fading due to valuation disagreements, the interest in Cancelo remains strong.
With the summer transfer window ticking down, Manchester City is keen to resolve Cancelo’s future swiftly. Whether the allure of Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle can sway Cancelo’s decision remains to be seen.
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