Arsenal open Joao Cancelo talks as Man City star's transfer preference emerges

07 June 2023 , 09:22

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Joao Cancelo's transfer preference has been revealed (Image: (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images))

Arsenal will face competition in their bid to sign Manchester City's Joao Cancelo this summer, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the running to sign the full-back.

The 29-year-old is set to leave Man City this summer, with Pep Guardiola allowing Cancelo to leave on loan in January in a surprise move for a player who was previously one of his outstanding performers.

He became an important player for Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga have not made the deal permanent having been reluctant to meet the £60 million buy-out clause included in his loan contract.

Arsenal have now emerged as candidates to sign the full-back, with Arteta previously having worked with the player during his time with Man City. Cancelo joined City in 2019, with the then right-back evolving to become an effective creative threat from the left-hand-side.

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have engaged in ‘early verbal talks’ to sign the Portuguese full-back, with his Man City future uncertain in the wake of a training ground bust-up with Pep Guardiola following the World Cup. However, Cancelo's own preference has been revealed to be a move to a La Liga club, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the leading candidates.

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German outlet Kicker (via Besoccer) report Cancelo's plans, with a wish to join either of the Spanish giants in a deal which could amount to €50 million (£43m). City are reportedly reluctant to allow another loan deal, with the player's contract expiring in four years' time having agreed a two-year extension on his original six-year deal just last summer.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are thought to be seeking defensive reinforcements, with the reported asking price below the market rate for a player of Cancelo's pedigree. However, Barca will still have to offload players before they can make signings, with Real thought to be prioritising moves for Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

Joao Cancelo won the Bundesliga title with Bayern ((Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images))

This could leave Arsenal with the ability to make steps to secure a deal. Although, midfield reinforcements are set to be a bigger priority, with a big-money move to bring Declan Rice to the club thought to be a priority.

Gunners sporting director has Edu outlined his plan to back Arteta this summer, speaking following the conclusion of the Premier League season, saying: “We need to identify how we can improve, if we have to improve specific, individual positions, individuals, final turn, midfielders, our defence. We already know what it is because our style of play with Mikel Arteta is very clear.

"When you see Arsenal play now, you know it’s our style. Now we have to understand how to enhance our athletes so the team can improve and reach a new level in terms of performance. I think there is a level above.

“Mikel and I talked, and we believe we can raise our performance to a new level. Now we have to do good work in the transfer window, we have to understand what we need, get the right athletes, the right traits, and the right athlete mentality so we can raise our squad’s level again.”

Will Freeman