Inside Joao Cancelo’s fallout with Pep Guardiola as frustrated City star is axed
Joao Cancelo is poised to join Bayern Munich following a breakdown in his relationship with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
The Portugal international will join Bayern on-loan until the end of the season, with a view to making the move permanent in a €70m deal (£61m).
It's understood Cancelo made City bosses aware of Bayern's interest in him and told them he wanted a new challenge. The news will come as a shock to City fans, who regard Cancelo as one of the best defenders in Europe.
READ MORE: Man City brutally selling Joao Cancelo with fans branding it 'most surprising move ever'
But the 28-year-old has become increasingly frustrated by his lack of game time under Guardiola – and made his feelings known to the Spaniard.
Cancelo has started just three games since returning from the World Cup and is less than impressed Guardiola has promoted teenage defender Rico Lewis ahead of him.
Cancelo played in defeats to Manchester United and Southampton and was also hauled off at half time in City's recent win over Chelsea.
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Guardiola was willing to keep Cancelo, but is prepared to let him leave because the former Juventus star no longer fits into his long-term plans. The emergence of Lewis combined with the superb form of Nathan Ake has shunted Cancelo down the pecking order.
And to make matters worse a slight change in shape, formation and tactics from Guardiola means Cancelo's situation is not likely to change between now and the end of the season. His departure could leave Guardiola short on defensive cover.
But the City boss can call on Sergio Gomez, who has made 12 appearances since joining from Anderlecht, while Aymeric Laporte can operate on the left side of defence when needed.
Guardiola has struggled to name a settled defence this season, with the recent absence from his starting line-up of £61m star Ruben Dias leaving supporters baffled.
And while Guardiola remains satisfied with his defensive options, this will not stop him from trying to sign a new left back in the summer.
Guardiola, who agreed to sell Oleksandr Zinchencko to title rivals Arsenal last summer along with Gabriel Jesus, could make another attempt to land England and Chelsea star Ben Chilwell.
Guardiola had the chance to sign Chilwell in 2020 but wasn't prepared to trigger the £42m release clause, although he remains a huge admirer of the 26-year-old.
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