Joao Cancelo: Manchester City star open to Bayern Munich transfer after surprise approach

Bayern Munich have made a late approach to sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.

The Bundesliga champions are understood to have offered to take the Portugal international on loan for the rest of the season before a permanent £61.5m move in the summer.

Cancelo himself is believed to be open to moving to Germany, having found playing time limited since returning from the World Cup.

City are not likely to stand in the player’s way should it be possible to conclude a deal before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The versatile full-back has been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s side since joining City from Juventus in a £60m deal in 2019 and has helped the team win two Premier League titles.

However, he appears to have fallen down the pecking order of late and has started just three games since top-level domestic football resumed in December.

The emergence of teenager Rico Lewis has given Guardiola another option at right-back, while Nathan Ake has been in fine form covering left-back and centre-back positions.

With four other senior centre-backs at the club in John Stones, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji, City feel they have plenty of cover. Changes to the shape of the side have also not suited Cancelo’s game.

It now remains to be seen whether a deal can be pushed through before in the final day of the transfer window.

Additional reporting from PA