Joao Cancelo Set for £21.2m Move to Al-Hilal

Joao Cancelo is set to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal after Manchester City agreed to sell the defender for £21.2 million. Although Cancelo and Al-Hilal have yet to finalize the personal terms, the 30-year-old has not yet confirmed his agreement to the move. If Cancelo agrees to the deal, he will sign a three-year contract ending his five-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

City manager Pep Guardiola has recently suggested that Cancelo might return to the club in the future. However, the disagreements that led to Cancelo’s loan stints with Bayern Munich and Barcelona over the past 18 months presented significant challenges. Cancelo has not featured in Manchester City’s two Premier League games this season.

He also missed the Community Shield victory over Manchester United due to several City players being unavailable after competing in the European Championship in Germany. Joao Cancelo initially gained recognition as Guardiola’s first inverted full-back, a role he embraced upon his arival. Yet, just months after he extended his contract in 2022, he lost his place in the team.

The change in his role significantly impacted Cancelo’s standing at Manchester City leading to his decision to move on from the club. This shift has paved the way for a new chapter in his career, as he prepares to join Al-Hilal and embark on a fresh challenge in the Saudi Pro League.