Manchester City left-back Joao Cancelo is on the verge of a shock loan move to German giants Bayern Munich after a training ground bust-up with boss Pep Guardiola.
The Portugal international is thought to have not taken kindly to the fact he was omitted from the starting line-up for Friday night's FA Cup clash at home against Arsenal, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the reigning Premier League champions.
The lack of game-time on offer for Cancelo at the Etihad in recent weeks has been a growing source of frustration for the defender, who has seen his relationship with Guardiola suffer since the World Cup. Details of a training ground bust-up which appears to have been the final straw have now emerged as he closes in on an exit.
As per Mail Sport, Cancelo is believed to have demanded an Etihad exit as soon as possible after being dropped for the game against the Gunners. Cancelo clashed with Guardiola over his decision and the pair have been left barely on speaking terms.
City have given him permission to leave following Bayern's loan offer. While his departure is not a permanent one, Bayern have the option to purchase Cancelo for a fee of £61million come the end of the season.
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City have not been left with much time to try and find a worthy replacement, but were still willing to sanction his exit.
Of the 10 fixtures City have played since club football resumed after the World Cup, Cancelo has started just three. Two of those have ended in defeat to Southampton and Manchester United respectively, while he has hauled off after just 45 minutes during the 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Some eagle-eyed supporters noticed things may have turned sour for Cancelo during City's recent home clash with Wolves. Not named in the starting line-up, Cancelo was spotted sat on the substitutes bench looking glum while the rest of his team-mates warmed up before kick-off.
Those at the top of the City hierarchy clearly feel that even if the club fail to find a Cancelo replacement before Tuesday's deadline, the club have enough in his position to cover for the remainder of the campaign.
Nathan Ake has shone while operating as a left back in recent weeks in what has arguably been his best season since joining the club, while summer-signing Sergio Gomez has made 12 appearances since joining from Anderlecht.
This news comes just as one man who used to play left-back for City in Oleksandr Zinchenko is now spearheading a title tilt for current league-leaders Arsenal. The former Etihad star has been one of the shining lights for the Gunners this season and how his old side could use him now in light of Cancelo's exit.
