After falling out of favour in Manchester City, Joao Cancelo is set to make a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal reportedly close to signing the defender. Cancelo's medicals are scheduled for Friday, and the deal is expected to cost Al-Hilal a staggering €38 million. According to The Guardian, the Saudi club is also eyeing Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong to bolster their defence.
João Cancelo's Move to Al Hilal: A Surprising Transfer Saga
João Cancelo's impending departure from Manchester City to Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League has sent shockwaves through the football world. Here is a closer look at the background and implications of this surprising move:
Background
Cancelo, a 28-year-old Portuguese international, joined Manchester City from Juventus in 2019. He quickly became a key player for Pep Guardiola's side, establishing himself as one of the best full-backs in the world. However, his relationship with Guardiola reportedly deteriorated in recent months, leading to speculation about his future.
Move to Al Hilal
According to reports, Al Hilal is close to signing Cancelo for a fee of around €38 million. The Saudi club is said to be eager to improve its squad following its recent successes in the Asian Champions League. Cancelo's medicals are reportedly scheduled for Friday, and the deal is expected to be completed shortly after.
Implications
Cancelo's move to Al Hilal is a significant departure from the European football landscape. It raises questions about the future of top players in the face of lucrative offers from clubs in emerging football markets. For Manchester City, it represents a blow to their squad depth and could force them to re-evaluate their defensive options.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did Cancelo leave Manchester City? According to reports, Cancelo fell out of favor with manager Pep Guardiola, leading to a breakdown in their relationship.
2. Why did Al Hilal sign Cancelo? Al Hilal is looking to strengthen its defense and improve its chances of success in the Asian Champions League and other competitions.
3. How much did Al Hilal pay for Cancelo? The reported fee is around €38 million.
4. What is the length of Cancelo's contract with Al Hilal? The details of his contract have not been disclosed publicly.
5. What are the implications of Cancelo's move for the future of football? Cancelo's move suggests that top players may increasingly consider offers from clubs in emerging football markets, especially if they are willing to offer competitive salaries and ambitious projects.
After a disappointing loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should the current Reds player depart for Real Madrid. With Kimmich having excelled as a defensive midfielder and even taking on the captain's armband, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the situation and may make a move in the upcoming January transfer window.
In a recent interview, FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal expressed his excitement for the Spanish Super Cup final after scoring a crucial goal in the semifinals against Athletic Club. The 17-year-old had just returned from an ankle injury and was instrumental in securing his team's spot in the final. He also shared his happiness in seeing teammates Dani Olmo and Pau Victor being cleared to play and hopes they will join him in the final against either Real Madrid or RCD Mallorca.
In a thrilling semifinal match against Athletic Club, Barcelona secures its place in the Spanish Super Cup finals. A long pass from Raphinha leads to a chance for Athletic to score, but a timely intervention from goalkeeper Simon denies them. Subscribers of Sportstar can catch the highlights of the intense match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Despite Barcelona missing key player Dani Olmo, whose playing license was revoked, young talents Gavi and Yamal stepped up to secure a 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals. Olmo was temporarily cleared to play, but unfortunately not in time for the game. Barca's opponent in the final will be determined in the match between Real Madrid and Mallorca, with the outcome being held in Saudi Arabia. Barca coach Hansi Flick expressed his joy over the decision to allow Olmo and Pau Victor to play again, and the players were also thrilled to contribute to the win and reach the final.
Following reports of a possible move for Osimhen, it seems Liverpool is also keeping an eye on youth international Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and facing a potential setback in their pursuit of Alphonso Davies. Meanwhile, there are rumors of a possible takeover by Elon Musk. On the field, Liverpool lost their second match of the season to Tottenham Hotspur in a League Cup semi-final, with an injury to Rodrigo Bentancur overshadowing the game. In other transfer news, Loris Karius may finally sign for a new club after leaving Newcastle United, with Schalke reportedly interested in him as a replacement.
Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong has raised doubts about his future at Barcelona, revealing that he may not stay at the club for the entirety of his contract. This admission comes as a surprise, given the player's constant assurances of his commitment to the club in the past. However, de Jong's revelation could signal a potential move to another top European club, as speculation surrounding his future intensifies. As he faces fitness and form challenges this season, de Jong's performance against UD Barbastro will be closely watched as he vies for a more prominent role in the team.
Young superstars Gavi and Lamine Yamal put on a show in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as they scored a goal each to secure a 2-0 victory for Barcelona against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal. The team was unable to field Spanish playmaker Dani Olmo and Pau Victor due to delayed clearance, but it did not stop the young guns from shining on the field. This win takes Barcelona one step closer to lifting the trophy and adds to their impressive run of form under new manager Xavi Hernandez.
As the transfer window opens, Premier League clubs are already hard at work securing new signings and making major changes. Manchester United is looking to offload players and bring in fresh talent with Ruben Amorim leading the way. Meanwhile, Liverpool is fighting to keep key players as their contracts near expiration. Across the league, teams like Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also looking to bolster their squads for a strong second half of the season. Stay updated with all the latest news and rumors throughout the day.
In a rain-reduced match, New Zealand's strong bowling attack led by Will O'Rourke and Jacob Duffy proved too much for Sri Lanka as they collapsed to 142 all out, losing by 113 runs. Sri Lanka's top order once again failed to produce, with only Kaminu Mendis scoring above 30. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged their poor play in the power play as a major factor in their loss. With a 2-0 lead in the series, New Zealand looks poised for a clean sweep in the upcoming third match in Auckland.
The transfer window has been open for eight days, but Manchester City have yet to make any signings. However, according to reports, they are considering a move for Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina to bolster their defence. With plenty of time for clubs to make their moves, the January transfer window promises to be an interesting one to follow.