Manchester City defender to complete season-long loan move to Barcelona

Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo is poised to complete his second departure from the Etihad Stadium.

The 29-year-old, who dramatically exited Manchester City following a reported training ground bust-up in January, is set to complete a second temporary exit from the club.

Cancelo moved to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign, with Manchester City beating the German club on route to their maiden UEFA Champions League title.

The Portugal international is expected to complete a move to Barcelona, moving to the Nou Camp on an initial season-long loan.

Cancelo featured in 26 matches for Manchester City last season and was also part of Pep Guardiola’s pre-season tour squad, playing three matches in east Asia in preparation for the new campaign.

Despite featuring during pre-season, the full-back has been absent from the Manchester City squad for all of the Sky Blues’ opening five matches, including the FA Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup Final.

The full-back is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027, having signed for Manchester City from Juventus for £60 million in 2019.

Cancelo is reportedly set to move to La Liga for the campaign, after an agreement was reached between Manchester City and Barcelona, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Sachin Nakrani and Fabrizio Romano further report that the agreement between the Premier League and La Liga champions includes an option to make the transfer permanent, for a fee in the region of €25 million.

Bayern Munich had rejected the opportunity to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent deal earlier this summer, with the full-back having made just 15 Bundesliga appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Cancelo has won three Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and will play alongside former Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan upon signing for Barcelona.

Gundogan moved to Catalonia on a free transfer following the expiration of the German’s Manchester City contract, turning down a fresh deal at the Etihad Stadium in favour of a switch to La Liga.