Manchester City may cover part of Joao Cancelo’s wages to finalize his transfer.

Manchester City might need to cover part of Joao Cancelo’s wages if they want to sell him before the transfer deadline.

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider that the Premier League champions may need to subsidize Joao Cancelo’s wages to secure his transfer before the deadline. According to Borson, this might be the only viable option unless a Saudi Arabian club shows interest in purchasing the Portuguese international.

Cancelo has been away from the Etihad for the past year and a half, having joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023 and spent the following season with Barcelona. Manchester City is eager to offload the 30-year-old before the August 30 transfer deadline, as he is no longer part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Spanish outlet Sport reported on August 10 that Cancelo is focused on a return to Barcelona. The La Liga giants are reportedly preparing a loan offer worth £6 million, with a clause to purchase him for £17 million next summer.

Borson noted that there are limited buyers for Cancelo, whom City acquired for £60 million from Juventus in 2019. He stated, “It’s common to encounter such situations where a high-earning player has potential suitors who are not financially equipped to match those wages. Given Cancelo’s situation and his previous loan to Barcelona, there are very few options available. If Barcelona cannot afford to buy him outright, City will need to subsidize his wages or find a Saudi club willing to take him on.