Joao Cancelo spent the second half of the season on loan at Bayern Munich, but a journalist has explained why he won’t be staying in Bavaria.
Cancelo has been a key player for Manchester City in recent seasons, but relations between player and club turned sour in January.
The Portuguese full-back returned from the World Cup in a poor frame of mind, angry that he had been dropped in both of his nation’s knockout games.
Cancelo’s mood did not improve when Guardiola opted to start him in just two of six league matches following the World Cup break.
City were reluctant to allow such a talented player to leave midway through the season, but Guardiola and his staff were concerned that Cancelo’s attitude was having a negative impact on the rest of the squad.
With no potential buyers at such a late stage in the January transfer window, City loaned Cancelo to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season.
The deal reportedly includes an option to make the move permanent, but according to journalist Uli Kohler, Bayern won’t be activating it.
“He goes back to City, there is a simple reason. Most importantly, he is just too expensive. I think City want about €70m for him, that’s way too much,” Kohler told Sky Sports.
Cancelo made a decent impact during his short stay at the Allianz Arena, scoring one goal and providing six assists in 21 appearances.
He appeared in 15 of Bayern’s 16 Bundesliga games since the start of February, helping the club to win an 11th consecutive league title.
“[At] the championship celebration, one of the guys who got the most applause was Cancelo, because he is such a spectacular football player,” Kohler said.
“But overall he is not helping Bayern very much.”
Cancelo may be well-liked by Bayern fans, but it looks like club bosses don’t feel the same way.
Judging by the hostile reception he received when City faced Bayern at the Etihad Stadium last month, a return to City is unlikely.
Reports have linked Arsenal and Barcelona with a move for the 28-year-old.
