Manchester City's Joao Cancelo set for shock move to Bayern Munich

Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo is set to leave Manchester City and join German giants Bayern Munich in a loan deal for the remainder of the season, according to reports.

The loan deal is expected to have a buy option clause of €70 million (more than AED 278 million).

It is reported that Cancelo was unhappy at Manchester City over his reduced playing time as manager Pep Guardiola has preferred Dutch central defender Nathan Ake in the left-back position. 

FC Bayern and Manchester City are signing the contracts for João Cancelo deal on loan until the end of season 🚨🔴✍🏻 #FCBayern

Buy option clause confirmed: €70m.

🎥 What happened with Man City: https://t.co/GnEOI8ib5u pic.twitter.com/WQ71AkguZs

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

Reports say Cancelo had a bust-up with Guardiola after he was omitted from the starting lineup against Arsenal in City’s FA Cup tie. 

On August 7, 2019, Cancelo joined Premier League champions Manchester City in a six-year deal worth £27.4 million plus Danilo being sent to Juventus in part-exchange, equalling to £60 million, making him the most expensive right-back ever. 

Cancelo's form took a dip ahead of the World Cup and he has struggled to hold on to his place in the City starting eleven since then. 

The Portugal international was the victim of a robbery at his home just after Christmas 2021 and later shared a picture of himself on Instagram with a cut above his eye, saying the aggressors also tried to harm his family.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have been on the lookout for a replacement for France full-back Lucas Hernandez who suffered an ACL tear during the World Cup which has ruled him out for the season.