MANCHESTER-Manchester City is growing accustomed to Saudi Arabian teams attempting to sign its players. The Manchester United team bid farewell to Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte as they left the Etihad Stadium to begin new lives in the Middle East during the previous summer transfer window.
Will money talk convince the star to leave Man City?
Then, Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne have been connected to separate transfers to the Saudi Pro League throughout this window. However, it has now been reported that Saudi Arabia is keeping an eye on another important member of Pep Guardiola’s team. “Walker is poised to become the next big-name player from Manchester City to be targeted by the Saudi Pro League, as per GMS sources. An opening to seize has been identified as a result of the uncertainty surrounding Walker’s future with his current employers following his participation in Euro 2024.” GMS sources have been informed that there is uncertainty regarding Walker’s desire to stay with Manchester City for the rapidly approaching 2024–25 season. Should he depart, academy graduate Rico Lewis is expected to receive more regular playing time. Walker, who Bukayo Saka recently described as a terror to play against, verbally agreed to join Bayern Munich during the previous summer transfer window, but ultimately decided to stay at the Manchester club, according to The Athletic. The £180,000-per-week defender demonstrated his value to the squad by playing in 32 league games last season, after leading City to their fourth successive Premier League crown. It would thus be devastating for the Blues, in our opinion, if the England international looked to go to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Can Saudi Arabia’s wealth lure away Man City’s key player?
The Belgian has made 382 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s team, contributing 170 assists and 102 goals in the process. He has been a major part of City’s recent trophy run. This summer, Saudi Arabia has been connected to a number of Manchester City players; their most recent target is a defender from Etihad Stadium. Since Pep Guardiola cut Joao Cancelo out of the Manchester City starting lineup after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Catalan has been without the player for the better part of eighteen months. Cancelo was forced to look for alternative options in Europe during the team’s successful quest of a historic Treble in the second part of the 2022–2023 campaign, with Kyle Walker being used as the more conventional right-back option and Rico Lewis being chosen in a revised tactical scheme. As a result, a six-month loan deal with Bayern Munich was reached before an agreement was reached to transfer the player’s loan to Barcelona for the whole 2023–2024 season. Though Cancelo is now enjoying his summer vacation, it is unclear what lies ahead for him outside of the current market. Due to the continuous uncertainty surrounding Barcelona’s financial capacity, Joao Cancelo and his advisors might have to go outside of European football for other options.
Is the Man City Star ready for a new challenge?
According to manchestercity, The 33-year-old has been linked to a transfer to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks as he approaches the last year of his contract at Etihad Stadium. Journalist Rudy Galetti specifically stated earlier this month on his X account that the midfielder has orally agreed to join Al Ittihad. However, some behind-the-scenes information about De Bruyne’s current thoughts on what his summer career future steps would include has surfaced. As per onefootball, According to the report, a few Saudi Arabian teams have made approaches for the wanted Portugal international. Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq are reportedly among those who have had discussions with the player’s “inner circle.” The most recent information confirms what has already been published in other places: Cancelo still has a personal contract with Barcelona, and both Juventus and Inter Milan have expressed interest in doing business. Joao Cancelo’s La Liga team may find it difficult to keep him permanently this summer due to budgetary constraints, even though Manchester City is willing to sell the player for a reduced price of between €25 and €30 million.
Can Man City afford to keep their star amid Saudi interest?
Unsurprisingly, the source notes that while European bidders would prefer a “cheaper deal,” Saudi Arabian teams would be prepared to pay Manchester City’s stated asking price for Joao Cancelo. Even if Joao Cancelo were to successfully negotiate a long-term departure from the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming weeks, it is largely anticipated that Manchester City will be content with their right-back options for the upcoming campaign. While Kyle Walker, the club captain, continues to be trusted with his skills and performances despite a number of setbacks during the previous season, Rico Lewis is widely seen as one of Manchester City’s top talents for both the short and long term future.
