Manchester City face summer headache over Joao Cancelo’s future

Manchester City face a major decision in the summer after it emerged that Bayern Munich are not looking at triggering a clause to sign Joao Cancelo.

Pep Guardiola sanctioned Cancelo’s shock loan switch to the Bundesliga champions in January after the full back fell out of favour at the club.

Bayern possess a €70million (£62m) option to purchase Cancelo, who is back at the Etihad Stadium next week for the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

But the 28-year-old’s time at the Allianz Arena has been mixed – making just six starts – and there is currently no appetite to spend such a big fee securing him permanently ahead of next season.

It potentially leaves City with a headache over the Portuguese’s future. He has four years to run on his contract, but that City allowed him to leave for a European rival mid-season without defensive cover served as a major indicator over his role within the squad.

Cancelo fell out of favour with boss Pep Guardiola earlier in the Premier League campaign

But the Portuguese could be heading back to the Etihad with Bayern set to opt against a move

Publicly, Guardiola has not shut the door on Cancelo’s return at the end of his loan but City will look to see if there is a market – either another loan or a permanent exit – over the coming months.

In his absence, Nathan Ake has consistently performed as a left back moving into centre half when City are in possession, with John Stones the latest defender to fill a position alongside Rodri in midfield.

Bayern could attempt to renegotiate the terms of the agreement but Cancelo’s attitude was again up for discussion in Germany at the weekend. After playing only 11 minutes of the victory over Borussia…