Arsenal are ‘progressing positively’ in a move to sign a Man City ace and a sizeable bid is coming, though his arrival would force a regular Gunners starter into assuming a diminished new role, per a report.
Arsenal plucked a pair of instant starters from Man City last summer when landing left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and striker Gabriel Jesus. Both hit the ground running at the Emirates and according to numerous outlets, a third raid is taking shape.
Sky Sports News recently confirmed Arsenal ‘remain interested’ in signing 29-year-old full-back, Joao Cancelo.
The Portugal international was named in successive PFA Teams of the Year between 2021-22. His attacking impact from full-back is perhaps behind only Liverpool pair Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold over the last three seasons.
However, Pep Guardiola fiddled with his formation mid-season and switched to a 3-2-4-1. After unsuccessfully trialling Cancelo in a more advanced position on the right wing, the Portuguese was unceremoniously sent on loan to Bayern Munich in January.
Speculation of a rift between Cancelo and Guardiola did the rounds. Cancelo reportedly did not take kindly to being dropped to the bench in the weeks leading up to the January window either side of the World Cup.
Bayern have since confirmed they won’t trigger the €70m option to buy in Cancelo’s loan. As such, he’ll return to the Etihad, though perhaps not for long.
Indeed, trusted reporter Ben Jacobs previously told TEAMtalk “there’s a very strong possibility that Cancelo doesn’t play another game for Man City.”
Football Transfers are an outlet who’ve gone heavy on Arsenal’s interest in Cancelo. Fabrizio Romano too stated Arsenal “appreciate” the player who Man City are “ready to sell”.
Now, a fresh update from Football Transfers has brought news of an imminent bid for the full-back. What’s more, Arsenal’s plan if the move goes through has been revealed.
£35m bid readied; Ben White ramifications
Firstly, they state talks between Arsenal and Cancelo regarding personal terms are ‘progressing positively’.
Secondly, the claims Man City have slashed their asking price from around £60m to £45m are echoed. German outlet Kicker reported similar last week, stating £43m will be enough to seal a deal.
Football Transfers then declare ‘Arsenal are set to launch an opening bid of £35m in the coming days’.
While that is below even City’s reduced valuation, it would signal Arsenal’s interest is concrete and get the ball rolling with regards to negotiating the fee.
In the event Cancelo does move to north London, Mikel Arteta reportedly plans to waste no time and immediately install him as the new starting right-back.
That role has been filled by centre-half Ben White this season who was pushed out wide once William Saliba was chosen as Gabriel’s main partner.
The Saliba-Gabriel tandem will remain moving forward, meaning White will drop to the bench and simultaneously provide cover at both centre-back and right-back.
