German heavyweights Bayern Munich 'will not activate the buy option' in the deal that saw them sign Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on loan in the January transfer window.
That is according to a report by German publication Kicker, who claim that Bayern have no interest in turning his loan move into a permanent deal. The versatile defender joined the Bundesliga heavyweights on loan in January after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium.
He has made ten appearances for them so far, scoring one goal and grabbing four assists. He stepped off the bench as a late substitute in Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge on Saturday as they beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2.
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However, the report claims that Bayern are 'not willing' to pay the reported €70million fee to turn his loan into a permanent transfer. It is also suggested that they will not even attempt to agree a lower price with City because they are 'aware' of Cancelo's character when he experiences mood swings over his game time.
His current deal at the Etihad Stadium is until the summer of 2027, meaning City could find it difficult to move him on this summer if they decide to. They will demand a big fee for him and he will have a sizeable wage packet that he will want matching.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United are said to be showing a 'strong interest' in signing City centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis ahead of the summer transfer window. That is according to a report by 90min, who claim that the Magpies are pondering a summer move for his signature.
The 21-year-old, who has been on City's books since the age of just six, has spent this season on loan at Championship table-toppers Burnley, playing a key role in their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League. He has made 30 appearances in total and would have made even more had it not been for an injury that sidelined him for more than two months.
Naturally, Burnley, should they see the job through and clinch promotion, will attempt to sign Harwood-Bellis on a permanent deal, but they face competition for his signature. As well as Newcastle being interested in him, it is claimed that the likes of Brentford, Fulham and West Ham United have also caught wind of his progress.
The centre-back, who has made eight senior appearances for City during his career, scoring one goal, is out-of-contact at City in June 2024, meaning they could choose to cash-in on him this summer ahead of running the risk of losing him for free 12 months later.
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