Bayern Munich set to sign another Man City star

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 30 Jan 2023 12:43 GMT
• 3 min read

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Bayern Munich are set to complete a sensational loan move for Manchester City star Joao Cancelo, the Athletic reports.

FCB are set to initially capture the Portugal international star on a loan deal, though a purchase option of €70 million is likely to be included in the agreement.

Cancelo had been reportedly unsettled at the Etihad Stadium lately, having found his game time limited, and the move to Bayern should afford him the first-team football he craves in a move that echoes the deal that took Leroy Sane back to the Bundesliga in 2020 for €49m.

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He was a regular for City prior to the World Cup, after the 2-1 defeat at home against Brentford, he has started only two Premier League fixtures, the win over Chelsea, in which he was replaced at half-time, and a derby loss away to Manchester United.

Indeed, he has not appeared in either of City's last two league outings, instead being frozen to the bench for victories over Tottenham and Wolves. The strong form of Nathan Ake and the emergence of Rico Lewis have been cited as reasons for him becoming more marginal.

His status as a bit-part player was effectively confirmed when he started the EFL Cup defeat against Southampton.

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Cancelo a player Bayern have craved

According to Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy, the deal is one that Bayern have long wanted to complete.

"Bayern Munich have been in the market for a right-back for years," he explained.

"Benjamin Pavard is a centre-back deputising there, Bouna Sarr was a complete failure, the Alvaro Odriozola loan was a waste of time for everyone involved, and Noussair Mazraoui has great potential but isn't elite level yet.

"Joao Cancelo gives Bayern exactly what they need, and with him and Alphonso Davies on the flanks, they'll give opposite defences nightmares not only in the Bundesliga but in the Champions League too."

Sane may have been a little erratic since returning to the Bundesliga, but in Cancelo, Bayern will believe they have captured a world-class star.