After an incredible weekend for Bayern Munich, the focus will turn to a crucial summer transfer window. Despite winning the Bundesliga title on the final day, there are at least a couple of areas Die Roten needs to strengthen. The full-back position is not one area to improve as they make a decision on Joao Cancelo’s future.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Cancelo is returning to Manchester City after his loan spell at Bayern. The German club has decided against activating the option of signing the Portuguese full-back for €70 million. It remains to be seen if Bayern will try to renegotiate a different fee to sign him.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports in Germany has also confirmed that Bayern is not signing Cancelo. The 29-year-old full-back is not expected to stay at Manchester City. Arsenal and Barcelona are interested in Cancelo, and Sky Sports insist that Bayern may not revive interest in him during the summer.
Cancelo made a shock move to Die Roten in the final days of the winter transfer window. The Portuguese international struggled for regular playing time under Pep Guardiola after the World Cup 2022, which forced him to look for a transfer midway through the season.
News #Cancelo: Understand Joao has many options. Barcelona is still one of them. Talks took place. But they can’t push for him at this stage because of their financial situation.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 29, 2023
Bayern has taken the decision not to trigger the option to buy. A permanent deal was very unlikely… pic.twitter.com/2Pu81AX9UO
The 29-year-old full-back made an instant impact at Bayern, grabbing an assist in his first competitive game. However, the good run of form didn’t last long for Cancelo. He struggled for a place in the starting XI, which had frustrated him immensely since he left Man City to play regularly.
Alphonso Davies suffered a serious hamstring injury in April, which paved the way for Cancelo to play regularly in the final four weeks of the season. Cancelo performed well in the left-back position during this run. He ended the season with six assists in 19 appearances for Bayern.
Despite a promising end to the season, Bayern is justified in not pursuing the permanent transfer for Cancelo. They are well covered in the full-back positions. He is a luxury signing that Die Roten cannot afford this summer. It will be a massive surprise if Die Roten reinvigorates their interest in signing him later in the transfer window.
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For now, Bayern is firmly focussing on signing a striker and midfielder. They may have to look for a defender if Lucas Hernandez or Benjamin Pavard end up leaving the club. Both defenders have 12 months left on their contracts. Hernandez was expected to sign a new deal, but there has been late interest in him PSG, while talks with Pavard are likely to take place in the coming days.