Arsenal have held talks with Joao Cancelo’s representatives over a potential move to the Emirates this summer.
That is according to a report from 90min.
It claims that while Joao Cancelo wants to join Barcelona, his people have spoken to Arsenal about a switch to north London.
It is thought that Manchester City want any potential loan deal, which Barcelona are seeking, to include an obligation to buy agreement set at around £51m.
Regarding Arsenal, the Gunners find themselves in the market looking for a new defender after Jurrien Timber’s injury.
The Dutchman is set to be out for months after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Signing Joao Cancelo makes a lot of sense
Cancelo can play at right-back and left-back, so he could be a great addition to a side who are looking to challenge for the Premier League title and go far in the Champions League.
Overall, the 29-year-old is a terrific footballer, with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel describing him as a player who has “the absolute highest quality”.
With that in mind, then, you would have to question whether City would actually want to sell Cancelo to Arsenal during this transfer window.
Like the Gunners, they will obviously be going after the title themselves this season.
In the last campaign, Mikel Arteta’s men ran them close, finishing just five points behind the Premier League champions.
City have done business with Arsenal recently, selling them Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, but that played a part in their rivals’ ascension. They will surely not want to make them any better, so the north London club may find it difficult to land Cancelo.
But if the Citizens are open to doing a deal, it is something that they should pursue, especially after Timber’s injury.
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