Manchester City defender moves closer to summer exit

Manchester City will face Sheffield United at Brammall Lane in the third game-week of the Premier League season.

The citizens started their title defence with a strong display at Turf Moor, as they cruised to a 3-0 victory against Vincent Kompany’s side.

An Erling Haaland brace and a Rodri goal sent the Sky blues back to Manchester with all three points.

Pep Guardiola’s side also overcame Sevilla on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup after Cole Palmer’s second-half equaliser rescued the Manchester Outfit.

However, despite Palmer getting the backing from his manager to help fill the hole that the injured Kevin De Bruyne will leave for a while, the young player has been linked with a move away from the Etihad this summer.

Whilst it remains to be seen what Palmer chooses to do in this transfer window, one Manchester City player seems to have their fate sealed this summer.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Joao Cancelo’s loan move to Barcelona is getting closer.

The report from Romano claims that negotiations between the two clubs are advanced, but there are still several details that need to be sorted before the move can be finalised.

Cancelo has emerged as a top target for Barcelona after Bayern Munich decided to not exercise their option to buy the player.

However, the player doesn’t want to negotiate with any other club as he only wants to move to the Catalonian giants.

Cancelo, 29, has notched up 154 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions since joining the club from Juventus in 2019.

In those 154 appearances, the defender netted nine goals and provided 22 assists.

The player typically plays as a right-back but can cover the other side of the pitch, or sometimes pushes further up the flank.

The Portugal international played a crucial role in helping the Citizens win two Premier league titles during his time at the club.

However, it was decided last season that Cancelo’s long-term future wasn’t at the Manchester club.

Therefore, the full-back went on a half-season loan to Bayern Munich with an option to buy the player.

The Bavarian giants decided not to trigger the clause and sent the player back to his parent club.

It has been reported that Barcelona will be offered a similar buy option clause in the loan deal for the Portugal international.