Bayern Munich set to sign Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City
Bayern Munich continues to pull off surprise transfer moves in the ongoing winter transfer window. After completing a shock move for Daley Blind at the start of January, Bayern is set to complete another deal before the deadline on Tuesday.
According to The Athletic, Bayern is close to agreeing a loan deal for Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo. The 28-year-old versatile full-back will join on a loan deal until the end of the season. Die Roten will have the option to sign him permanently in the summer.
As per Daily Telegraph in the UK, Die Roten’s option to buy is worth €70 million. Cancelo has struggled for playing time since the World Cup after the emergence of Rico Lewis in the first team. Pep Guardiola also has several options in both full-back positions, which has allowed Man City to sanction Cancelo’s departure.
Cancelo is expected to slot straight into the right-back position at Bayern. The Portuguese international was one of the best full-backs in the Premier League last season. He can do a fine job on either side of the defense, but he is at his best in the right-back position.
Noussair Mazraoui is still far away from returning to training since he is still recovering from illness. The Moroccan right-back’s prolonged absence has probably forced Die Roten to look for a temporary option in this position.
Moreover, Cancelo will also provide more attacking impetus in the final third than Benjamin Pavard. The French defender looked shaky against FC Koln and RB Leipzig. He recently expressed desire to leave Bavaria in the summer, so Bayern is preparing in advance for his departure. Josip Stanisic is also an option in this position, but he is also less adventurous in the final third. Cancelo will definitely provide more balance to the attack when Bayern is trying to break down deep blocks.
Even if Cancelo turns out to be a successful signing in the next five months, it is difficult to see Bayern forking out €70 million for a 28-year-old full-back. They may try to negotiate a lower fee for Cancelo or move on to other targets to replace Pavard in the summer transfer window.
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If medicals and paperwork are completed later today, Cancelo could make his Bayern debut against Mainz on Wednesday. However, Die Roten is facing a race against time to get him ready for this game. The most likely scenario will be Cancelo completing a move just before the deadline, and he makes his debut against Wolfsburg on Sunday.