Premier League club Manchester City and Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have reportedly agreed on a transfer deal worth £21.2 million for Portuguese wing-back João Cancelo.
The 30-year-old Cancelo is anticipated to receive a three-year contract, though personal terms are still being finalized. According to the BBC, Cancelo has already consented to the move.
Cancelo was an early adopter of Pep Guardiola‘s inverted wing-back strategy and was a key player at Manchester City until a rift with the coach emerged after his contract extension in 2022.
Following this disagreement, Cancelo spent time on loan at Bayern Munich, where he made 21 appearances, and at FC Barcelona, where he played 42 matches, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Despite these contributions, his performances were considered underwhelming, leading to his return to Manchester City this summer.
Having been with the club for five years after joining from Juventus in 2019 and making 154 appearances, Cancelo leaves Manchester City having secured three Premier League titles and one EFL Cup.
Earlier this month, Guardiola had hinted that Cancelo might remain with the team.
“He’s training with us. We will see. Maybe he will stay, maybe he will go on loan. I don’t know yet. What’s going to happen depends on his agents and the club. In the end, if he has to stay, we will treat him like all the other players, with respect, and try to take the best from his huge qualities.”
Guardiola said at a press conference earlier this month.
As Cancelo’s transfer nears finalization, his potential new club, Al-Hilal, will be facing Damac at home in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday. Should Cancelo not finalize his move in time for this match, he might make his debut against Al-Riyadh on September 14.
