Joao Cancelo wants Al-Hilal transfer worth $28 million, while Saudi Pro League side also targets Bayern’s Kingsley Coman

Al-Hilal are close to completing a $28 million transfer for Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo and are targeting Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman as well as the Saudi Pro League who have made a series of big moves in the final days of the transfer window will close deals.

Personal terms and medical treatment have yet to be finalized, according to a CBS Sports source, but are not expected to pose a hurdle for the 30-year-old as he looks to end his five-year association with City. Cancelo is expected to sign a three-year contract in Riyadh, expected to be worth almost $25 million per year.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal have also expressed interest in securing Coman from Bayern Munich. The French winger, 28, has been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga this summer and would represent a major coup for the Saudi champions, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of next summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.

Cancelo has been stuck at the Etihad Stadium since falling out with Guardiola midway through the 2022/2023 season. Unhappiness over a lack of starting opportunities prompted the Portuguese international to be loaned out to Bayern Munich at a time when he was still considered one of the players. of the best full-backs in the world. The defender was loaned out to Barcelona last season, who were keen to bring him back to the club but were unable to finance the deal.

Cancelo leaves the champions with three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and an EFL Cup to his name. His arrival, who was twice named in the PFA Team of the Year, ends Al-Hilal’s extensive search for a new full-back this summer, with interest their new signing’s teammate Kyle Walker not sufficiently reciprocating is used to effect a transfer.

Cancelo’s arrival represents one of the biggest name additions in a remarkably quiet transfer window for the Saudi Pro League, especially compared to 12 months ago when big names such as Neymar, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez were recruited at great expense. So far, the arrival of Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad this summer has stood out, especially apart from Aramco-owned Al-Qadisah, who have spent heavily since their promotion to the Pro League.

The quartet owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF are all expected to be on the market in the final few days of the period, even if the big names they wanted to add 12 months ago elude them. Additions such as Cancelo, Coman and Victor Osimhen could change that, the latter having been an unsuccessful target for Al-Ahli this summer. Should they admit defeat in pursuit of the Napoli striker, the Jeddah side would be expected to make a new offer to Brentford for Ivan Toney.

The Pro League registration rules, which limit clubs to a maximum of eight international players over the age of 21, with an additional two youth options, have somewhat suppressed the market at the biggest clubs. This would also prove to be a complicating factor if Al-Hilal were to sign both Coman and Cancelo. In such circumstances, they would be forced to sign out one of their international players to make room for the two new signings. A sale would also open up a registration slot, but Saudi clubs, especially those in PIF, have struggled to find markets for their big earners in recent weeks.

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