AC Milan are reportedly keeping tabs on Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, with the Serie A side weighing up a move to sign the out-of-favour Portuguese international.
According to the Sun, the reigning Italian champions are among several clubs keeping tabs on the 28-year-old defender with Cancelo losing out on his regular starting position under Pep Guardiola, with teenager Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake being preferred in recent weeks.
Signed from Juventus in 2019 for a reported £60m, Cancelo has been influential for City in their domination of the Premier League over the last four seasons, with the former Juventus star regarded by many as the best overall fullback in world football based on his ability to play at both left-back and right-back.
However, since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Cancelo has hardly featured for City, making just three league starts, one of which saw the defender hooked off at half-time in a 1-0 win against Premier League rivals Chelsea.
And now, Milan are looking at signing Cancelo, with the defender a player who will be of much interest to many of Europe’s biggest clubs given just how good the Benfica academy graduate has been in recent season for the Manchester giants under Guardiola.
Indeed, with Lewis establishing himself as a key player under Guardiola at just 18-years-old, there is every chance that City are looking at potentially selling Cancelo in the summer. However, even with a potential superstar on their hands, the reigning English champions will be wise to keep hold of the Portuguese international.
Milan signing Cancelo must not be allowed to happen on Guardiola’s watch
Cancelo might currently find himself out of the City starting XI, but that’s not to say his time in Manchester is over after a few games, with the Portuguese certainly set to return once Lewis’ hot-streak has petered out, with a move to a Milan the last thing Guardiola should approve of.
Whilst transfer interest makes sense, Cancelo has proven over the years to be arguably City’s best defender and a player who makes the entire system click when in his best form. And selling the fullback now would be a foolish move from the Manchester giants.
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