Manchester City looked to other suitors for Joao Cancelo in the January window when it became clear that Barcelona would not cover the player's wages.
Cancelo fell out with Pep Guardiola when he returned from Portugal duties at the World Cup, with the manager preferring Rico Lewis in several games as he sought for consistency from his team. The relationship between player and manager got so bad that it was decided late in the January transfer window that Cancelo had to leave in order for Guardiola to have the best chance of getting everyone in the squad pulling in the right direction.
Barcelona were one of the clubs interested in signing him, as their coach explained this week. Xavi said that City initially offered the player before saying no after another internal discussion.
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What Xavi didn't explain is why City changed their minds. Sources at the club indicated that while Barcelona wanted the player they were not prepared to cover all of the finances involved for the second half of the season; Bayern Munich were, and so City dealt with the Bundesliga champions instead.
City have a decision to make on Cancelo this summer. The full-back is under contract at the Etihad until 2027 but with his chances of being reintegrated into Guardiola's squad looking slim after the level of the fallout with the manager, they will have to see if a fee can be agreed with an interested club.
Bayern have an option to buy Cancelo at the end of his loan for around £60m, but are not expected to follow through. There have been highs and lows for the player during his short time in Munich, but he did end up with a league winner's medal after Bayern's dramatic triumph on the final day.
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