Manchester City reach agreement over multi-million first-team exit

Premier League champions Manchester City have now reached an agreement over yet another blockbuster first-team exit from Pep Guardiola’s side.

That concerns the future of Joao Cancelo, who returned to the City Football Academy earlier this month with a view towards maintaining fitness and fulfilling contractual obligations at Manchester City before joining another club on a loan or permanent deal.

It is widely believed that Cancelo himself was intent on re-joining FC Barcelona following his season-long loan spell in La Liga last season, whether that be on a renewed deal or a permanent move to the Catalan club.

However, financial restrictions at the Camp Nou side prevented a renewed interest in Cancelo and failed to get the club anywhere near Manchester City’s valuation over a permanent exit, leaving the defender and his agent to source other opportunities.

Whilst it is believed that there had been interest from Italy over a return to the country, Joao Cancelo appears more likely to take up a more radical switch away from European football during the final years of his top-level career.

According to figures and details provided by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, Manchester City have now agreed a £21.2 million deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal to sell outcast defensive option, Joao Cancelo.

It is claimed that while personal terms are not thought to be a problem involving the 30-year-old and the Middle-Eastern organisation, Joao Cancelo himself is yet to formally agree to the move.

Should the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich loanee issue the green light to a switch, there is a belief in various quarters that he could earn upwards of £18 million per year across a three-year agreement.

Joao Cancelo has been available for selection for all three of City’s competitive fixtures so far this season, but has been excluded from matchday squads in the FA Community Shield against Manchester United, and Premier League meetings with Chelsea and Ipswich Town.

Manchester City will not return to the market in search of any replacement for Joao Cancelo, with Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff being more than content with their existing options in the full-back role.

Rico Lewis has enjoyed a remarkable start to the new season and will be difficult to displace, while Kyle Walker continues to build his own match fitness and sharpness in the background following an extended summer break after the European Championships.