Pep Guardiola opens door for two sensational Man City returns and drops transfer hint

Joao Cancelo could be set for a sensational return to Manchester City if no offers come in for him this summer, with Pep Guardiola admitting there is a path back to the first team for the full-back.

Cancelo has not featured for City since January 2023, when he left in acrimonious circumstances, unhappy at Rico Lewis replacing him in the team. He has spent the last 18 months on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but has not joined either permanently. Barcelona want to re-sign him, but are yet to make a bid and may struggle to afford him.

Now, Guardiola has confirmed Cancelo's status in the squad and has plotted a route back to becoming a City player again.

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"He's training with us. We will see, maybe stay, maybe go on loan. I don't know yet," said Guardiola. "He's behaving really well in the training sessions. He loves to play football. We will see. It can happen [playing for City again].

"In training we say hi and talk. About what's going to happen, it depends on his agents and the club. In the end, if he has to stay we will treat him like all the other players like we have done since I have been here. With respect, and try to take the best for his huge qualities that he has. I never doubt about his qualities one second. But I don't know what is going to happen."

Guardiola also confirmed that Kalvin Phillips will join Ipswich on loan, admitting he simply couldn't offer the £42m midfielder the minutes he has needed over the last two years. After his loan at Portman Road is completed, Guardiola insisted that