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Arsenal 'ready to move ahead of Barcelona in Joao Cancelo race'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 24 March 2024

Arsenal 'ready to move ahead of Barcelona in Cancelo race'

Arsenal are reportedly ready to make a summer swoop for Manchester City's Joao Cancelo if Barcelona cannot afford to sign the full-back on a permanent deal.

After spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, Cancelo joined Barcelona on a temporary deal for the 2023-24 campaign and has since established himself as an important player under head coach Xavi.

The 29-year-old has made a total of 32 appearances for Barca across La Liga and the Champions League, chipping in with four goals and four assists while operating as either a right-back or left-back.

Cancelo is under contract at Man City until June 2027, but his future seemingly lies away from the Etihad Stadium having fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola.

The Portugal international recently accused the Citizens of being "ungrateful" and has claimed that "lies were told" by Guardiola in relation to reports over his attitude during his time at the club.

Athletic Bilbao's Benat Prados in action with FC Barcelona's Joao Cancelo on March 3, 2024 © Reuters

Man City are believed to be open to selling Cancelo this summer and the full-back has publicly expressed his desire to join Barcelona on a permanent basis.

However, according to The Sun, Barca are reluctant to meet Man City's £40m asking price for Cancelo due to their financial concerns.

As things stand, it is claimed that the Catalan giants are not prepared to pay anything beyond a loan fee to have Cancelo for another season.

Should Barcelona fail in their attempts to keep hold of Cancelo, the report adds that Arsenal are ready to 'pounce' for the full-back this summer.

Barcelona's Joao Cancelo before the match on September 3, 2023 © Reuters

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows Cancelo well having previously coached the full-back during his time as an assistant under Guardiola at Man City.

Arsenal are also no strangers to raiding the Citizens for first-team stars, as they recruited both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined fee in excess of £70m in the summer of 2022.

It is thought that Cancelo's experience at the highest level and his ability to play on either flank or in midfield appeals to Arteta.

Cancelo has made 154 appearances in all competitions for Man City since joining the club in 2019, recording nine goals and 22 assists, while he has also won three Premier League titles and one EFL Cup.