Journalist Claudia Garcia has suggested that Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo would be open to returning to Inter Milan this summer.
Cancelo joined City from Juventus in a £58.5m deal last summer, with the agreement seeing Danilo move the other way.
His first year at the Etihad has not been a happy one, though, with him struggling to nail down a first-team place under Pep Guardiola and making just 11 Premier League appearances thus far.
He’s been heavily linked with a move away this summer and Garcia believes he’d be open to a return to Inter, where he played on loan in 2017/18.
“It is strange that Cancelo, being so strong, continues to change teams. He would have deserved more stability, more confidence,” she told Passione Inter.
“Surely Inter is the club where he found himself best; he also loved the city. Unfortunately, he could not stay, but who knows, if there was a chance he could come back.
“He really enjoyed being in Milan, and he got on well with his teammates.
“He got to know and integrate with Conte because at the time he was very close to Martusciello, who trained with Spalletti.
“Now he is obviously on a great team in England, but he could start. In a cash operation, since it costs around 40 million, I don’t think so. But maybe with an exchange, it is possible.”
One potential swap deal that has been suggested is with defender Milan Skriniar, who Manchester City have had an interest in for some time.
It’s widely believed that Guardiola will be on the hunt for a long-term partner for Aymeric Laporte this summer and the Slovak has been suggested as one target.
Garcia doesn’t see it happening, though, because there are numerous factors which make it hard to imagine.
“At the moment it is difficult to think of a similar operation. Anything is possible, but Skriniar is an important player for Inter,” she added.
“If the team wants to grow, even more, he is a pillar to rely on, I don’t think the club is so willing to sell it without problems.
“Then for at least a year Manchester City will not play the Champions League, it is not known yet if Guardiola remains…
“In Inter I see a much-improved team, which with Conte can win the Scudetto, whether this or next year, therefore not I think the Slovak is leaving.
“Then maybe the arrival of Cancelo, it can be tied to other exchanges, or formulas like a two-year loan, I don’t know.”
