Manchester City star Joao Cancelo set to join Bayern Munich on loan with option to buy after falling down pecking order under Pep Guardiola with Rico

30/01/2023 14:53

Bayern Munich are reportedly closing in on the signing of versatile Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo on loan until the end of the season. The Portugal international has fallen out of favour under boss Pep Guardiola in recent weeks where he has been an unused substitute in the last three games. GettyCity full-back Cancelo is poised to join Bayern Munich on loan[/caption] Academy star Rico Lewis has forced his way into the starting XI since the restart of domestic football after the World Cup. Kyle Walker and John Stones have also been preferred at right-back at times this season, while Nathan Ake has slotted in on the opposite side of defence this month. And according to The Athletic, this has seen the 28-year-old decide to depart the Etihad in search of regular game time after falling down the pecking order. It has been said that there will likely be an option to buy clause inserted into the contract. Bayern, who are claimed to be long-term admirers of the ex-Juventus defender, have been keen to bring in a right-back in January. Benjamin Pavard has been linked with a switch to Barcelona, while summer signing Noussair Mazraoui is unavailable as he recovers from COVID-19. AFPCancelo has won two Premier League title since joining the Citizens in 2019[/caption] Most read in football Chelsea push for £106m Fernandez deal, Arsenal want Tielemans again, Bayern eye Cancelo Man United had beaten Arsenal to deal but then Real Madrid ruined everything with one call Gordon's heartfelt message to fans is in stark contrast to blunt Everton statement Brighton reject second Arsenal bid of £70m for Caicedo and reiterate transfer stance BBC cut away from 'f*** the Tories' message on homemade FA Cup during Wrexham tie Tottenham 'agree fee' for Chelsea wonderkid, 19, and offer 'clear pathway to first-team' A medical is now set to be scheduled to take place within the next 24 hours ahead of Tuesday’s 6pm transfer deadline in Germany. News of the imminent departure will have come as a surprise for City supporters with the player becoming a firm fan favourite since joining in 2019. He has won the Premier League twice along with the Carabao Cup, where he has chipped in with ten goals and 22 assists in 154 matches in all competitions. His dazzling displays since linking up with the Citizens has seen Cancelo named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in each of the last two campaigns. GettyCancelo has been an unused substitute in each of the last three games[/caption] Should the shock deal go through, Cancelo could make his debut for Julian Nagelsmann’s side in the German Cup against Mainz on Wednesday. Or he could get his first taste of action when Bayern pit their wits against Wolfsburg in their Bundesliga battle on Sunday. Despite sitting top of the table, Bayern have struggled since the World Cup break – drawing three consecutive top-flight matches. They sit just one point clear of Union Berlin, with just three points separating Bayern and fifth-placed Freiburg. Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog