Various reports (Daily Star) did the round that Manchester City are close to completing a move for Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo from Juventus. However, there have been no official announcements made yet. To be fair, the move has been stalling for quite some time now.
Update on why Cancelo’s deal in not yet done?
Journalist Duncan Castles as cited by Daily Star recently revealed in a podcast the reason for City’s reluctance to go over the line with this deal. He said, ”I’m told Cancelo, the agreement between Juventus and Manchester City is in place, and Juventus have a replacement lined up for Cancelo. The block there is Manchester City saying we have to get Danilo out before we complete the deal.”
“We want Cancelo, we want to upgrade there, but we don’t want to get stuck in the situation where the Cancelo deal is complete, and Danilo is still on our books. Because it will be harder to shift Danilo and get a transfer fee for him – if they can get any fee because I believe they’re struggling to find a suitor.”
Therefore Danilo is the reason why the Citizens are not going through with Cancelo the deal as they are struggling to ship the Brazilian away. The fullback started just nine games in the Premier League last season, and it seems to us that Guardiola isn’t a big fan of the defender.
Why does City need Cancelo?
Kyle Walker is currently the first choice right back at the Etihad, and many would agree that he is one of their weakest link in the back four. In terms of attacks, the English fullback is impressive. But he is prone to errors and lunging into needless tackles at the back. Danilo is clearly not good enough to challenge Walker for first-team places, and someone like Cancelo will be an upgrade over the Brazilian. Cancelo has the potential to start over Walker if he manages to settle in well at England, so the move for the Portuguese fullback definitely makes sense.
What Cancelo offers?
The 25-year-old is an attack-minded fullback with standout ability to carry the ball from the back. Cancelo can easily make a career as a winger as well, and his on the ball qualities will suit Guardiola’s game plan. Defensively too, he can hold his own, and the Portuguese can be a long term right-sided fullback at the Etihad.
Given his age, the Portugal international has the right mix of experience and youthfulness. It remains to be seen now whether City will be able to find a possible suitor for Danilo to bring in Cancelo.
