Arsenal could make an attempt to sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City this summer, if Barcelona cannot turn his loan move permanent.
The Portugal international has been on loan with the Spanish giants since the start of the season, having not smoothed things over with Pep Guardiola last summer. Indeed, Cancelo recently admitted that he and Pep simply did not agree on certain things.
Cancelo returned to City from Bayern Munich following a loan spell, after he had reportedly fallen out with Pep over game time.
It seems clear that he does not have a future at the Etihad Stadium and just recently, the player has mentioned that he would be happy to turn his move to Barca permanent.
But it is going to depend on whether they can get their finances in order and present a suitable offer. If they cannot do that, then Arsenal may well come in for the player…
Arsenal may swoop for Joao Cancelo if Barcelona don’t agree permanent deal with Manchester City
It has been reported by The Sun that Cancelo could become the subject of a pursuit by Arsenal if Barcelona fail to sign him permanently this summer.
It is stated that they deem his £40 million valuation too high and so, Arsenal are watching proceedings. Mikel Arteta is said to be on ‘red alert’.
Cancelo has made it clear he wants to join Barca permanently. He recently said that he is doing everything he can to make this come to fruition, but ultimately it’s about Barcelona’s ability to stump up the cash.
City would like the player off their books in the summer, and Arsenal might be in more of a position to pay what the club want.
City in a frustrating spot with Cancelo
The situation with Cancelo is far from ideal.
Barcelona’s financial issues have been well documented in recent times, and they are likely going to do all they can this summer to pay as little as possible.
Arsenal are said to be interested in the £250,000-a-week star, but City would surely not want to be selling to a title rival. They’ve done it before with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but it would be preferable for him to go elsewhere.
Cancelo – described in the past as ‘an amazing player’ by Bernardo Silva – does want to join Barca permanently.
It makes for a potentially frustrating situation. We will see what kind of offer Barcelona are able to make this summer. The player’s stance might just force City to accept a lower fee than they would like.
