Arsenal to beat Barca to Cancelo
Joao Cancelo is currently enjoying a favorable tenure at Barcelona, and the Catalan club appears notably inclined to retain the services of the Portuguese defender beyond the conclusion of the season, when his loan spell from Manchester City is set to expire.
This prospective extension may entail a potentially awkward reunion, considering the strained relations between Cancelo and Manchester City at present. Over the weekend, the full-back publicly addressed speculations regarding his departure from Etihad Stadium, stating, “Lies have been told… I think Man City were a bit ungrateful to me.”
While Manchester City would likely entertain offers for Cancelo, the primary obstacle for Barcelona lies in securing the necessary finances. According to The Sun, Barcelona may struggle to muster the £40 million required for Cancelo’s permanent acquisition, potentially opening the door for Arsenal to make a move. The Gunners have previously been linked with the 29-year-old, who remains contracted to Manchester City for an additional three years.
United target £103M midfielder
Manchester United is reportedly prioritizing the acquisition of one of João Cancelo’s international teammates this summer. According to Caught Offside, who claim to have sources with a deep understanding of United’s plans, the focus is on Benfica midfielder Joao Neves. However, acquiring the teenager is anticipated to be costly, with United or any other interested party expected to pay £103 million to buy him out of his contract.
Alternatively, Adrien Rabiot is being considered as a more economical option once again. The Juventus midfielder is nearing free agency once more, presenting a familiar scenario.
Furthermore, the same sources identify Dayot Upamecano as a potential defensive target if United receives indications that Bayern Munich is willing to sell him this summer.
Chelsea offer duo to Real Madrid
Chelsea’s urgent need to generate significant funds this summer in order to adhere to Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) has reportedly prompted them to engage with Real Madrid. According to Defensa Central, Chelsea has proposed to Real Madrid the opportunity to acquire Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella for a combined sum of £166 million.
It appears unlikely that Real Madrid will reimburse Chelsea the £105 million for the midfielder and £60 million for the defender, especially as they are already focusing on securing the services of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies following the completion of Kylian Mbappe’s transfer.