According to a report from The Sun, Arsenal may consider a surprising move for Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo if Barcelona fails to secure his permanent transfer.
The Portuguese footballer is presently on loan at Barcelona for the duration of the season, where he has exhibited commendable performance, tallying 4 goals and 4 assists from 32 appearances. While the La Liga giants express a desire to retain his services beyond the current campaign, they are hesitant to meet Manchester City’s £40 million valuation, favoring another loan arrangement instead.
This reluctance by Barcelona could create an opening for other clubs, with The Sun suggesting that Arsenal might seize the opportunity. Manager Mikel Arteta, who is well acquainted with Cancelo from his tenure as assistant manager at City, is reportedly seeking a high-caliber left-back, with Cancelo emerging as a potential candidate to meet this requirement.
Surprise transfer
Recent dealings between Arsenal and Manchester City have resulted in the acquisition of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko by the Gunners during the 2022 summer transfer window. Both players, formerly with the Premier League champions, played pivotal roles in Arsenal’s challenge for the league title last season, nearly ending a two-decade wait for English supremacy.
However, reports suggest that Manchester City is reluctant to part ways with more players to Arsenal, casting doubt on the possibility of João Cancelo moving to the Emirates Stadium. Moreover, there arises the question of whether Arsenal truly require another left-back option given the abundance of choices within the current squad. Zinchenko, for instance, has been a reliable choice, especially in the wake of his recent calf injury sustained during the match against Liverpool.
Jakub Kiwior has exhibited exceptional form since the beginning of February, delivering standout performances. Additionally, Takehiro Tomiyasu presents another viable option for the left-back position, while the return of Jurrien Timber from injury further bolsters Arsenal’s defensive options. Given the array of choices available, it is somewhat surprising that Arsenal is being linked with a move for Cancelo this summer.