Manchester City won’t replace Joao Cancelo before the transfer window closes, according to reports in the English media.

The Portuguese international is expected to complete a loan move to Bayern Munich, with the German champions having the option to buy for €70m (£61.6m) at the end of the season.

Cancelo’s departure will leave the Citizens pretty threadbare at left-back, with centre-half Nathan Ake and Sergio Gomez the only other options available to manager Pep Guardiola. Fans on Twitter are worried about the impact it may have on the battle for the title with Arsenal:

Our season is FINITO

— Ryan. (@FavelaFIair) January 30, 2023

Hoping injuries doesn’t set in

— P.KAY (@kvnton_) January 30, 2023

This club isn't serious.

— Mo Nasereldin (@MoNasereldin) January 30, 2023

another season knocked out at ucl again

— Repeat (@abominattiion) January 30, 2023

Congratulations Arsenal premier league champions 22/23

— overdog (@dudethecoolest) January 30, 2023

I'M DONE

— Trickster 🇧🇼 (@MCFCTrickster) January 30, 2023

No please City don't do this 😭

— _𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖆🦋 (@_yiimena) January 30, 2023

letting go of Zinchenko and Cancelo in one season is crazy😮

— Noxie (@justnoxie) January 30, 2023

LOOOOOL What can you say at this point

— ⁹ (@ErlingRoIe) January 30, 2023

City don’t like making high-profile signings in January. A similar thing happened last year when Ferran Torres left for Barcelona midway through the campaign.

No replacement for the Spaniard came in and, while it didn’t ultimately prove costly in the title race, things could be different with Cancelo.

Ake has been excellent this season but, if the Dutchman picks up any kind of injury, you would worry whether Gomez is up to the task of filling in.