Manchester City star João Cancelo has joined Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the season. Not exactly the kind of transfer business we were expecting this January.
The Portuguese full-back, midfielder and jack of all trades who has been one of City‘s best players in recent years, not to mention one of the most highly-regarded talents in the Premier League full stop, departs from the club on a six-month contract.
Even more surprisingly, the deal includes an option for the Bundesliga club to make the transfer permanent for a reported fee of around £61.5 million come the summer transfer window.
And just like that, one of the Blue’s brightest sparks is out the door.
Joao Cancelo has joined Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the season.
As the reports of his imminent departure first broke, The Athletic detailed how the 28-year-old’s relationship with manager Pep Guardiola broke down due to a number of reasons.
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In addition to being substituted in the game against Chelsea, the dynamic wing-back is said to have walked straight from the team bus to the dugout for one game and failed to pay attention in team meetings.
It is thought that the Spanish coach had a conversation with him not long after the series of incidents which sealed his exit, despite being a firm favourite among fans and regular first-team player since 2019.
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The German giants unveiled him in his new colours on Tuesday morning.
“I’ve not had much game time in the past few weeks, which influenced my decision. It has nothing to do with my relationship with Pep. I really wanted to embark on this new adventure at such a club with such a big history. It’s a dream for me”
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Referencing a clip he released on Instagram earlier this week, he said: “The video may sound like a farewell, but it wasn’t meant that way. We have to see what these five months will bring, I want to be here with a clear head. We will then talk about it again at the end of the season.”
Though it still remains unclear, with the squad depth that the current champions possess, it seems unlikely that the club will bring anyone in as a replacement with hours left of deadline day.
Unsurprisingly, both the move itself and the swiftness with which it was completed has left some City fans scratching their heads.
While many seem to understand Pep’s reasons, especially when Cancelo himself expressed the desire to leave and his presence in the dressing room clearly became an obstacle, others aren’t so convinced.
Credit: Twitter
What do you reckon: right move to let him go or should the blue half of Manchester be doing everything they can to make sure he sees out his contract which runs until 2027?
Featured Image — Man City/Bayern Munich (via Twitter)
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A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
31st January 2023 
