Man City star close to completing La Liga switch

Manchester City continued their perfect start to the new Premier League season by beating Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday. 

A first half strike from Julian Alvarez was enough to earn the Citizens victory, following their 3-0 win over Burnley on the opening day of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s side sit top of the league table after two rounds of matches, although Arsenal could leapfrog them if they beat Crystal Palace comfortably on Monday.

Now, it appears that one of City’s stars could leave the club before they play their next game.

According to 90min, full-back Joao Cancelo is edging closer to completing a loan move to Spanish club Barcelona.

The 29-year-old joined City from Italian side Juventus back in 2019 and played an instrumental role during his first three seasons in England.

Cancelo is set to join Barcelona on loan

Cancelo racked up more than 125 appearances across all competitions between 2019 and the start of last season, but he fell out of favour last term.

The Portuguese is said to have fallen out with Guardiola, and he was then sent out on loan to German champions Bayern Munich in January.

During his time in Bavaria, the defender made 21 appearances across all competitions but returned to The Etihad earlier this summer after the German club opted against activating an option-to-buy clause.

The report claims, though, that La Liga giants Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign the player on loan for the remainder of the current campaign.

It is also claimed that the Spanish side will cover the majority of Cancelo’s wages during his time in Catalonia, as well as having the option to buy the player for £30 million next summer.

City’s Premier League rivals, Arsenal, are said to have shown an interest in Cancelo, who also received offers from Saudi Arabian clubs but is said to have been intent on joining Barcelona throughout.