Man City will reportedly ‘get rid’ of four more players and Barcelona are hoping to benefit after Joao Cancelo had a ‘furious bust-up’ with Pep Guardiola.
It was revealed on Monday afternoon that Cancelo is set to sign for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on loan until the summer. It is understood that they have the option to sign him permanently later this year for around £61m.
Cancelo has dropped down the pecking order in recent weeks. He has not started in the Premier League since he was brought off at half-time during City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea and he has been an unused substitute in their last two league games.
The Portugal defender was said to be involved in a ‘furious’ row with Guardiola. He ‘reacted angrily’ after he did not start against Arsenal in the FA Cup last Friday.
Earlier this month, it was suggested that Cancelo is one of five players at Man City who are ‘unhappy with Pep Guardiola’. The same report claimed that a ‘major exit operation’ was on the cards at the Etihad.
The other four players mentioned were Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker. These four stars ‘will leave Man City after Cancelo’, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
Guardiola is ‘willing to do some cleaning’ and will ‘get rid’ of these four first-team stars. Gundogan is nearing the end of his contract and he has ‘made it clear that his idea’ is to move on.
City head coach Guardiola ‘wants him in the squad’ but they will ‘not get in the way of his wishes’. A move to Barcelona is possible as they have been admirers of him for ‘several seasons’.
Silva meanwhile was linked with a move away in the summer and City’s intention is to ‘sell the Portuguese footballer for a very good figure’.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG are ‘following his trail’ and the English side ‘could let him go for a figure close to 60 million euros’.
The report later states that Laporte has ‘lost importance’ this season so Guardiola ‘would be willing to do without him’ should an ‘interesting proposal arrive’.
As for Walker, Guardiola are in the market for a ‘guaranteed right-back’ to come in and replace the 33-year-old.
Teenager Rico Lewis has started ahead of Walker at times this season and Guardiola is a huge admirer of his.
“We don’t give presents because he is a Man City fan or from the academy. You have to earn it,” Guardiola insisted back in November.
“But we’ve seen him since day one of pre-season. This guy has something special.
“Defensively he is aggressive and with the ball he is so good. Of course he has a lot to improve but the academy here is working amazingly.”
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