Man City star who’s burned bridges with Guardiola says no to two clubs amid Arsenal interest

Joao Cancelo has reportedly decided he does not want to play for either Manchester City or reported suitors Arsenal – but it seems he won’t go back to Bayern Munich either.

Cancelo was one of City’s best players last season. Indeed, the full-back showed his versatility, as he performed as either a right-back or a left-back.

He scored one goal and provided seven assists as the Citizens won their second Premier League title on the bounce.

The Portuguese also started this season off in good fashion, with two goals and an assist in 17 games. However, a change in system by Pep Guardiola relegated him to the bench for a few games in a row.

At the back end of the January window, Cancelo was loaned out to Bayern. Indeed, it seemed he wasn’t content with not always playing a large role at the Etihad, with Guardiola suggesting he “wants to play every single game”.

The short-term period in Germany was a success. The full-back helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, scoring once and assisting four times in 15 games.

It has been suggested Bayern could trigger the option to snare Cancelo permanently, for a fee in the region of £60m.

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel has added fuel to that fire, stating the City star is “really happy” as he mentioned discussions would take place regarding the potential signing at the end of the season.

Arsenal have also registered an interest in the full-back, identifying the ideal course of action for the snare.

Cancelo says no to three sides

However, it appears Cancelo has decided the sides he does not want to play for. Indeed, it seems staying in England is off the table, with AZ reporting a move to Arsenal is just as ‘uninteresting’ as a return to City for him.

Burning bridges with his current side and deciding there’s nowhere in England he wants to go could leave Cancelo short of options.

Of course, the potential that he could remain with Bayern has been floated. However, while it’s been suggested by Tuchel the defender might want to stay, the club might turn that option down.

Indeed, AZ reports it’s ‘extremely unlikely’ he’ll play for Bayern again. That’s because the club is ‘not ready to pay the fixed transfer fee’ to secure his services.

It’s said another loan deal is ‘out of the question’ too.

Cancelo preference revealed

It’s been revealed that Cancelo is ‘drawn to warmer, Southern regions’.

Cancelo has previously been linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. The latter were said to have been ‘sizing up’ the City man recently.

That snare would be useful, as it would allow them to shift Eduardo Camavinga back into a midfield role, and play Cancelo at left-back.

Whether or not that move happens remains to be seen. Cancelo will hope that it does, after turning down two Champions League clubs and being turned down by another one.

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