Al Hilal and Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement for João Cancelo’s transfer. The Portuguese defender is considering a lucrative offer from the Saudi club, which could mark a significant shift in his career.
- Al Hilal and Manchester City have a verbal agreement for Cancelo’s transfer.
- The transfer fee is around €30 million.
- Al Hilal is offering Cancelo a €18 million net salary per season.
- Cancelo’s decision is pending and will determine if the transfer proceeds.
The Verbal Agreement
According to a tweet by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal has secured a verbal agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of João Cancelo. The details of the deal include a €30 million package, but the final decision rests with Cancelo himself. Al Hilal has tabled an enticing offer of a €18 million net salary per season to the Portuguese defender, who is yet to make his decision public.
🚨🇸🇦 Al Hilal have reached verbal agreement with Manchester City for João Cancelo.
Fee around €25m package, club to club deal verbally done.
It now depends on João Cancelo and his decision; Al Hilal offered him deal worth €15m net salary per season.
Cancelo will decide soon. https://t.co/07nc3Vdwb0
pic.twitter.com— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
March 15, 2023
João Cancelo: A Versatile Defender
João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo, born on May 27, 1994, in Barreiro, Portugal, is a highly versatile defender known for his capability to play both right-back and left-back positions. Standing at 1.82 meters, Cancelo has been a crucial asset for Manchester City since joining in 2019.
Cancelo’s contract with Manchester City runs until June 30, 2027, and his agent, Gestifute, will likely play a key role in the final decision regarding his potential move to Al Hilal.
Career Highlights
- Youth Career: FC Barreirense, SL Benfica
- Senior Career:
- SL Benfica B (51 appearances, 2 goals)
- Valencia (77 appearances, 2 goals)
- Inter Milan (loan) (26 appearances, 1 goal)
- Juventus (25 appearances, 1 goal)
- Manchester City (98 appearances, 5 goals)
- Bayern Munich (loan) (15 appearances, 1 goal)
The Saudi Pro League’s Growing Appeal
The Saudi Pro League has been increasingly attracting high-profile players from Europe’s top leagues. This trend is evidenced by Al Hilal’s aggressive pursuit of João Cancelo, a move that could significantly bolster their defensive lineup. Should Cancelo accept the offer, he would join a growing list of elite players making the switch to the Middle East.
Transfer History
- SL Benfica to Valencia (loan): 2014
- Valencia to Inter Milan (loan): 2017
- Valencia to Juventus: 2018, Transfer Fee: €40.4 million
- Juventus to Manchester City: 2019, Transfer Fee: €65 million
- Manchester City to Bayern Munich (loan): 2023
The decision now lies with Cancelo, who must consider the lucrative financial terms against his professional aspirations in European football. His move to Al Hilal could mark a significant shift in his career trajectory, offering new challenges and opportunities.
For more detailed player statistics and transfer history, check Cancelo’s profile on Transfermarkt.