Arsenal preparing shock move for Joao Cancelo

Arsenal are considering a shock swoop for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich.

Joao Cancelo

The Portugal international, 28, was deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City after losing his place in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI. The defender was rumoured to have fallen out with Guardiola after the Qatar World Cup, forcing Man City to farm him out to Bayern Munich on loan in January.

Joao Cancelo has endured a mixed time at Bayern, and his failure to impress new manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly alerted Arsenal over his potential availability in the summer. Although Arsenal are keen on the Portuguese, they are concerned Man City won’t sell him to them. This is because of the fact that the Gunners have virtually pushed Guardiola’s side right down to the wire in an exciting title race this campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s club signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from City last summer and are interested in raiding the blue half of Manchester again for Cancelo, who seemingly has no future at the Etihad Stadium.

Joao Cancelo would instantly improve Arsenal

Ben White has been a revelation for Arsenal at right-back this season, registering two goals and five assists in 36 Premier League games. He has made the right-back position his own, offering a solution to a problematic area for Mikel Arteta.

Indeed, White was only shifted to that role as a consequence of William Saliba’s rise and an injury to Takehiro Tomiyasu. While Tomiyasu will return in time for pre-season training after suffering an injury against Sporting CP in March, his long-term future at the Emirates remains in doubt. As the Japanese international has proved he cannot be relied upon due to his questionable fitness record at the club, Arteta must sign a new right-back to compete with White next season.

Joao Cancelo has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal, and the north Londoners could make a move for him if Bayern decide against signing him permanently from Man City. The 28-year-old, regarded as one of Europe’s most well-rounded full-backs, will take Arteta’s squad to another level if Arsenal manage to secure his signature.

The Portugal international’s qualities on and off the ball, experience and winning mentality would hugely benefit a relatively young Arsenal side that will want to go toe-to-toe with City again for the Premier League title. Having watched Jesus and Zinchenko swap City for Arsenal and become crucial members of Arteta’s side, Cancelo may find a move to the Emirates Stadium tempting in the summer.

However, considering the assistance City have given Arsenal to be their main title competitors by selling Jesus and Zinchenko last summer, they are likely to think twice before deciding over Cancelo.

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