Angelino (Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Manchester City left-back Angelino has rejoined RB Leipzig on loan for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign after spending the second half of last season on loan at the German club.
As per the report, Leipzig have the option to secure a permanent deal for the 23-year-old for a fee of around €18m next summer. The optional purchase clause is subject to the condition that Angelino plays at least 12 games throughout the season, with at least 5 of them coming in the second half of the campaign.
Angelino featured for Deportivo La Coruna at the youth level in Spain before signing a deal with Man City back in the summer of 2012. Having impressed for the club’s reserve side, the left-back subsequently spent time on loan at New York City FC, Girona, Mallorca, and NAC Breda before joining PSV Eindhoven on a permanent deal in the summer of 2018.
The former Spain U-21 international enjoyed an impressive campaign with Eindhoven, catching the eye in the Eredivisie as well as in the Champions League. Angelino returned to Man City last summer after the Citizens activated a £5.3m buy-back clause to re-sign the left-back.
The Spaniard had a golden opportunity to establish himself as City’s first-choice left-back, given the early-season injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko, but he failed to make much of an impression. Angelino made only 12 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side during the first half of the previous campaign before being farmed out on loan to RB Leipzig in January.
The 23-year-old redeemed himself following his move to Germany, playing a key role as Leipzig went all the way through to the semi-final of the Champions League and finished third in the Bundesliga.
Angelino was brought back last summer with a view to strengthening City’s left-back department. But the Spaniard failed miserably in that regard. After racking up 4 goals and 16 assists in the Eredivisie across two seasons, the 23-year-old endured an unimpressive return to the Etihad.
Angelino’s failure to adjust to life in the PL meant that the entire purpose of re-signing him was defeated. As a result, Guardiola had to rotate Zinchenko and Benjamin Mendy in that role while also calling upon right-back Joao Cancelo to fill in whenever required.
Lack of stability at the back was one of the major factors as Man City surrendered the PL crown to Liverpool last season. Hence, it’s hardly a surprise that the Citizens have prioritised bringing in defensive reinforcements this summer, with Nathan Ake already joining the ranks from Bournemouth.
City continue to be linked with big-money deals for Kalidou Koulibaly and Jose Gimenez, which is a clear indication that Guardiola is looking to reshuffle his backline ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Regardless of whether they bring in another left-back this summer, Angelino’s future at Man City looks well and truly over, with Pep clearly not fancying the Spaniard. However, he remains an immensely talented player with a lot of potential. And settling down at RB Leipzig would certainly allow him to go on and fulfill his promise.
Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann is widely regarded as one of the top young managers in Europe. And playing under his guidance should help Angelino progress down the right path. Moreover, he played regularly in the Bundesliga and also in the Champions League last season, something that wouldn’t have been the case for him at Man City.
It doesn’t require a rocket scientist to figure out from the above discussion that Angelino rejoining RB Leipzig on loan is the best settlement for all parties involved. The left-back has a golden chance to establish himself at one of the top clubs in Germany while City can make a massive profit next summer if the Spaniard’s permanent move to Germany is confirmed.