Real Madrid’s interest in Joao Cancelo is nothing new. During his four-year spell in LA Liga with Valencia, the full-back impressed with his adventurous attacking play.
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His displays for Los Che, coupled with his form for Inter Milan and Juventus in a subsequent stint in Italy, earned him a move to Pep Guardiola’s City.
Next summer, Joao Cancelo will be 29. As a result, he is expected to be available for a fee of €40m to €50m at the most, despite being under contract until 2027.
Carlo Ancelotti knows the player well from his recent spell in England as head coach of Everton, and admires Cancelo’s versatility. He is currently operating as a left-back at City, but his natural position is on the right flank.
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The Portugal international is performing exceptionally on the left at the Etihad Stadium. Now in his fourth season at City, he has made 138 appearances for the Premier League champions, scoring eight goals and supplying 19 assists.
Will Joao Cancelo sign a deal with Real Madrid?
At Madrid, the left-back role is currently occupied by Ferland Mendy and, from time to time, David Alaba. However, Ancelotti prefers to use Alaba at centre-back alongside Militão; it’s the defensive partnership that helped propel Madrid to the Spanish and European titles last season.
Mendy is out of contract in 2025 – and talks over an extension have stalled as a result the Frenchman’s wage demands, which the club feel are excessive. Mendy’s contract situation could boost the prospects of a Madrid swoop for Joao Cancelo.
AS understands that the Portuguese is aware of their interest and is open to joining a club where several international colleagues – chiefly Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe – have had immense success.
Despite Madrid’s interest in Joao Cancelo, however, City will surely be desperate not to lose another full-back and not at the price quoted for the Portuguese star, particularly following the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal this summer.
Sergio Gomez was signed from Anderlecht but has been used as a deputy to Cancelo so far.
