Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted Joao Cancelo could leave the club, admitting that the out-of-favour full-back's future is 'up to him.'
Cancelo arrived from Juventus in the summer in a £59m part-exchange deal which saw Danilo go the other way, Much was expected upon his arrival, but he has found himself victim to Guardiola's famed rotation policy, and managed just seven Premier League appearances.
He has been a regular in the Champions League and the EFL Cup so far, appearing in all of their matches in each of those competitions. His start in the 2-1 victory over Everton, however, was the first time in seven matches he had appeared in the league.
In general, the 25-year-old has been out of favour to Kyle Walker, and this has led to speculation he could return to Valencia, whom he left to join Juventus 18 months ago.
And while Guardiola was full of praise for him after his display in City's victory over the Toffees, he did hint that if an offer was to come in, he would not stand in the player's way.
"He had a good game today, it wasn't easy to play against these opponents, " said Guardiola, as quoted by Gianlucadimarzio.com.
"When Cancelo plays, he plays well. It has quality and makes you two or three assists. It is he who has to decide whether to fight and stay with us or not.
"Here in the UK everyone is free to do whatever they want with their lives.
“We didn't buy it for six months, but to keep it for many years.
"I don't know what will happen in the coming weeks, in the summer we will talk about it. If anyone wants to leave, it's all easy. The agent calls the club and a deal is made, otherwise he stays here.
"In any case, the rumours are rumours, as long as they don't call the agents, I don't care.
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Source : 90min