Transfer Centre

Bayern Munich to hijack Barcelona move for Joao Cancelo?

By Carter White | 01 September 2023

Bayern Munich are reportedly looking to hijack Joao Cancelo's move to Barcelona, with the German champions keen to take the Manchester City defender on loan.

Bayern Munich have reportedly enquired about the possibility of taking Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on loan for the 2023-24 campaign.

The 29-year-old has fallen down the pecking order of options in Pep Guardiola's backline for the Citizens, resulting in the player securing a temporary switch away from Manchester last season.

Cancelo spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Bayern, making 15 league appearances for Thomas Tuchel's men, helping them to another German title.

The right-back has featured 154 times for Man City since joining from Juventus in the summer of 2019, managing to net nine goals during a four-year spell at the Etihad.

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich have enquired to Manchester City over a potential deal for Cancelo in the closing moments of the transfer window.

Bayern Munich's Joao Cancelo in action on February 11, 2023 © Reuters

It is understood that the transfer for the Portuguese to the Bavarian giants would be another temporary one, with Tuchel's men deciding against pushing for the permanent capture of the defender.

The report also claims that Cancelo still has a verbal agreement to join Barcelona, with the La Liga champions looking to bolster their defensive ranks before the window shuts.

Sergino Dest was made surplus to requirements by Barca boss Xavi over the summer, and the American has since sealed a move to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Despite contrasting reports, it is understood that Cancelo's medical at the Catalonian club has not taken place yet, with the Spanish club not in the financial position to sign the right-back on a permanent deal.

Barcelona head coach Xavi on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Cancelo has also attracted interested from the Middle East in the transfer window, rejecting a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia earlier this month in order to remain in European football.

The Portuguese has not featured in any of Man City's competitive matches so far this term, however he did appear in pre-season matches against Atletico Madrid and Bayern.

The likes of Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake are currently ahead of Cancelo at the Etihad, and it appears the player does not have a future in the English champions' first team.

Manchester City will be looking to make it four wins out of four at the beginning of their Premier League title defence when they host Fulham on Saturday afternoon.