“They can afford to haggle” – Manchester City correspondent offers update on Joao Cancelo situation

The situation surrounding want-away Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo is largely unchanged from the last 18 months, a correspondent around the club has revealed.

The Portugal international recently concluded his 2023/24 season at both club and country level following a European Championships exit at the hands of France in a penalty shoot-out, heading on summer holiday with his family and friends.

Whilst the summer will no doubt present the 30-year-old with a necessary opportunity to rest and recuperate before the start of another intense campaign, there are big decisions to be made over his club future.

Manchester City are known to be unwilling to reintegrate Cancelo into their first-team picture, and remain satisfied with their options in the position, and as such are looking to secure a permanent exit for the Portuguese defender.

But with no concrete developments surrounding that possibility, some are beginning to wonder just how long Joao Cancelo could be left in limbo at Manchester City. As such, a new report has issued the latest on the situation, but particularly how little has changed.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee, the situation surrounding Joao Cancelo at the Etihad Stadium is largely unchanged from the last 18 months, with the Premier League champions continuing to eye a permanent exit.

Reporting within The Athletic’s latest edition of The Transfer DealSheet, Sam Lee explained, “The situation with Joao Cancelo now is what it has been for the past 18 months: (Manchester) City do not have him as part of their plans for next season and want him to move on.”

He continued, “They would prefer a permanent transfer but know there are very few takers, so another loan is most likely after he spent last season with Barcelona. Clubs know City do not have much leverage in this situation and that they can afford to haggle, which could mean another loan with no obligation to buy Cancelo at the end of it.

“Manager Pep Guardiola would not want the Portugal international around his squad if he has no chance of playing, so City will have to agree to something.”

Should Joao Cancelo, along with his representatives and Manchester City staff, be unable to secure an exit before the start of pre-season at the City Football Academy, then it is expected that the Portuguese international could play some role in preparations.

City are expected to begin returning to work from Monday 15 July, before heading to the United States for a four-game tour of the east coast of the country, although Cancelo is likely to be granted a significant period of time off due to his extended involvements in Germany.

Manchester City’s four matches on the east side of the United States will be followed by a Community Shield meeting with Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, prior to the opening weekend of the Premier League season and a visit to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.