Manchester City set to propose sensational player-swap deal to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich and Manchester City look set to lock themselves into transfer negotiations as the Premier League champions plot a sensational player-swap deal.

The two European giants successfully negotiated a six-month loan deal for Portugal international Joao Cancelo during the most recent January transfer window, with the Bundesliga club holding the option to make that move permanent this summer.

However, Manchester City insist that in order for that to happen, Bayern Munich would have to hand out a €70 million fee – an amount that many believe the German club are simply unable to sanction in the coming months.

As such, City may be in a situation where they see Joao Cancelo return to the football club. However, new developments have showcased the lengths they are willing to go in order to prevent that from happening.

According to the information of The Mirror’s Simon Mullock, Manchester City are set to ask Bayern Munich if they are interested in a swap deal for Joshua Kimmich, that would allow them to keep Joao Cancelo.

Pep Guardiola is known to be a big fan of the 28 year-old Germany international midfielder, after working with the Bayern Munich star during his time at the Allianz Arena, and reportedly views him as a possible replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

The Mirror report that Guardiola has told Manchester City that he will not contemplate allowing Joao Cancelo to come back into the fold, after he caused ‘dressing room unrest’ over a lack of playing time after returning from the World Cup this season.

City’s form has seen a drastic improvement following the turn of the year and the exit of Joao Cancelo, while also enabling the likes of Rico Lewis to flourish alongside other names as Guardiola tweaked his system.

City’s right-sided full-backs have often inverted during the second-half of the season, with the likes of Lewis and John Stones operating alongside Rodri in defensive midfield when in possession of the ball.

The rise of Rico Lewis is likely to allow Manchester City to focus their transfer attentions elsewhere this summer, as the need to sign a new full-back lessens given the performances of players in Guardiola’s refreshed system.