Joao Cancelo breaks silence on Man City future and sets transfer timeline as 'asking price set'

Joao Cancelo refused to be drawn on his Manchester City future on the eve of Portugal's Euro 2024 opener - but in doing so set a timeline for when any summer exit could be agreed.

Cancelo appears to have little chance of resurrecting his City future after an acrimonious exit in January 2023, when he was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich. He spent the last year at Barcelona, and has accused Pep Guardiola and City of lying about the manner of his exit and being ungrateful to him during the course of him time at the Etihad.

However, Guardiola opened the door to a sensational u-turn last week by stating Cancelo would be part of City's pre-season squad if his future was not resolved before that. And now, the Portuguese defender has suggested that is likely to be the case as he ruled out any decisions while Euro 2024 is ongoing.

ALSO READ: Phil Foden's seven word message is perfect reply to Cesc Fabregas 'step up' criticism

ALSO READ: Bruno Guimaraes signs, Kevin De Bruyne decision, Grealish call - Man City's dream XI next season

Portugal begin their Euros campaign on Tuesday when they take on the Czech Republic in Leipzig, with Cancelo facing the media in the build-up. Asked about his future, with Barcelona keen to re-sign him next season, Cancelo insisted his focus was firmly on the tournament.

Cancelo said: "It created a certain uncertainty [previous speculation over his future] when I was off, but, from the first day here, I forgot all that. I'm 100 percent focused on the national team, 100 percent focused on helping Portugal.

"Euro 2020 was unfair to me [he was ruled out of the tournament after testing positive for Covid] and I now want to give an answer for myself, for my family, for those who love me and for my friends who wanted to be here, that a day they dreamed, like me. Therefore, I will put all my cards on the table, give my all and help Portugal to the fullest."

Cancelo's admission means his transfer situation is unlikely to be sorted before the end of Portugal's Euros campaign, which could go as far as mid-July if they reach the final. City begin their pre-season tour of the US a week after the final in Berlin, but players are expected to get around three weeks off following their exit from the tournament.

So the chances of Cancelo actually playing for City in pre-season will be closely tied to Portugal's progress in Germany. They are favourites to win a presentable group, so even if they were to be knocked out in the last-16, City's Portuguese contingent may only join up with the squad mid-way through the tour.

There is also the possibility that Cancelo faces Barcelona for City in pre-season, with the sides meeting in Orlando on July 31, in a similar situation to when the full-back faced Bayern in Tokyo last summer.

Reports in Spain suggest that City have told Barcelona that they would only sanction a second season-long loan for Cancelo if there was an obligation to buy for £25m at the end of the 2024/25 season. City bought Cancelo for around £60m, and he is under contract at the Etihad until 2027.