Report: Joao Cancelo Nearing Manchester City Transfer; Danilo to Join Juventus
August 4, 2019
Juventus right-back Joao Cancelo is reportedly close to joining Premier League champions Manchester City, while Brazil defender Danilo will move in the opposite direction.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted Sunday that City would pay €30 million (£27.4 million) in addition to Danilo in order to sign Cancelo:
City manager Pep Guardiola lifted his first trophy of the 2019-20 season, the Community Shield, on Sunday after his side beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reported there is also €5 million (£4.6 million) worth of add-ons in the deal for Juventus, with both full-backs understood to have agreed personal terms.
It's mentioned that both defenders will sign contracts until 2024 with their respective clubs, with medicals expected to take place as soon as Monday.
Cancelo, 25, joined the Bianconeri from Valencia last summer and made 34 appearances in all competitions. The former Inter Milan loanee won Serie A in his maiden season in Turin and helped Massimiliano Allegri's side advance to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Squawka highlighted his success taking on opponents in Italy's top flight last term:
Guardiola already has an offensive presence at left-back in France international Benjamin Mendy. City also re-signed Spaniard Angelino from PSV Eindhoven this summer to provide competition on that side.
Kyle Walker is the current first choice at right-back but has experimented as a centre-back to some success in Guardiola's system.
Cancelo's arrival could highlight a new emphasis on width for City, and WhoScored.com noted the Portugal international's strengths in that area:
City broke their transfer record to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri for €70 million (£62.8 million) this summer, and Cancelo is close to becoming the second major arrival for Guardiola.
The Benfica academy graduate has 14 caps for Portugal and could form a potent partnership with compatriot Bernardo Silva at the Etihad.