Fabrizio Romano confirms versatile Manchester City star WILL leave the club this summer | OneFootball

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed in a new report that Manchester City will see Joao Cancelo leave the club in the coming weeks and months.

The Portugal international is in a moment of limbo in his top-level professional career, having left Pep Guardiola’s side last January on an initial six-month loan deal at Bayern Munich in search for more consistent game-time.

The move came as a shock to many, especially given the fact that Cancelo had been one of the highest appearance makers among Manchester City’s defensive options, and proving to be a crucial component at left-back.

Six months later, and Bayern Munich are seemingly unwilling to sanction a €70 million deal for Joao Cancelo, after Manchester City gave the Bundesliga champions the option to make their loan permanent at that price tag.

While a move back to Germany may no longer be on the cards, a new report from Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Joao Cancelo will still be leaving Manchester City this summer, as the treble winners look to secure a solution for the versatile defender.

In a new report, Romano states that Cancelo will leave Manchester City this summer, with the decision being ‘very clear’ on both the player and club’s side. The Premier League champions are reportedly ‘looking for the best solution’.

Cancelo’s expected departure from the Etihad Stadium is also said to be one more reason as to why Manchester City are trying extend Kyle Walker’s deal beyond the summer of 2024 – just days after the Englishman was linked with an exit of his own.

Barcelona are reported to be the most interested club in Joao Cancelo this summer, however any successful pursuit of the Manchester City star is said to be dependant on Financial FairPlay, as the La Liga champions continue to battle with their own financial issues.

Speaking ahead of a golf tournament in Girona this week, City boss Pep Guardiola was quizzed by Spanish media on whether his club had already received any proposals from the Camp Nou club for Joao Cancelo.

“We’ve not received any bid from Barça for João Cancelo — no proposals from them,” Guardiola stated.

Manchester City are unlikely to seek a direct replacement for Cancelo this summer, should a permanent move away from the club be found, with their attentions being focussed elsewhere on the playing squad.

City officials and coaching staff are understood to feel they have more than enough solutions for the right-back role next season, should Kyle Walker continue with the club beyond the ongoing summer transfer window.

Rico Lewis is fresh off the back of a breakthrough campaign at the Etihad Stadium, and the teenager is expected to take on further game-time next season as he operates largely in defensive midfield when in possession.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji are also viewed as suitable back-up options to Lewis and Kyle Walker, with the latter also offering support at left-back when Nathan Ake is unavailable, or when preferred tactically to Sergio Gomez.