Valencia Hopeful Manchester City Will Sanction Departure of Joao Cancelo

Valencia are understood to be keen on re-signing Joao Cancelo from Manchester City, despite Pep Guardiola's initial reluctance to strike a deal.

The 25-year-old only arrived at the Etihad Stadium last summer on a six-year deal, in a move worth around £27m - plus Danilo, who moved in the opposite direction to Juventus.

But the Portuguese international, who was purchased to provide additional competition for Kyle Walker at right back, has failed to settle in England, and has made just six appearances in the Premier League.

Joao Cancelo

Now, leading Spanish publication Marca report that former club Valencia, who Cancelo played for between 2014 and 2018, are keen on a January reunion, and are hopeful that a deal can be done.

Despite Valencia's interest, City manager Guardiola is thought to be hesitant in sanctioning a deal as he'd be left with little to no cover in Manchester. Los Ches are said to be interested in a loan deal, as the cost of a permanent move would likely be outside of their remit.

​Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for Cancelo, whose game time has become increasingly marginalised, despite City's indifferent run of form in the Premier League. 

His bit-part role is likely to affect his chances of making Portugal's squad for Euro 2020, suggesting that a move may be of interest, even if it's temporary. He hasn't appeared for the national team since September, when he featured in the 5-1 win over Lithuania.

Cancelo is no stranger to moving around, having played for Valencia, Inter, Juventus and City in recent seasons. But it's the Mestalla where he enjoyed the majority of his success, making 74 appearances in La Liga.

Robin Gosens,Joao Cancelo

He then won the Serie A crown with Juventus in his maiden season in Turin, and generally was one of La Vecchia Signora's better performers. That form instigated his move to City, but he's been unable to adjust to life in England thus far.

City, meanwhile, look to be out of the Premier League title race already, with Liverpool holding a comprehensive 13 point lead at the top of the table heading into the new year.


Source : 90min