Barcelona will reportedly have to cough up €50 million to sign 29-year-old Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, a target for Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Manchester City will only let Joao Cancelo leave in the ongoing transfer window if a suitor shells out €50 million to secure his services. Barcelona and Arsenal are keen on signing the 29-year-old defender this summer.
Joao Cancelo has represented several well-known clubs during his professional career thus far. The Portuguese international has turned out for Benfica, Valencia, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Manchester City. And he most recently played for Bayern Munich, spending the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at the Allianz Arena.
The 29-year-old made 21 appearances for Bayern Munich, chipping in with one goal and six assists. But Cancelo’s future is uncertain after he returned to Manchester City at the end of the loan spell, with Bayern Munich not signing him permanently. And with Pep Guardiola happy to part ways with the player, his situation has captured the attention of Barcelona and Arsenal.
The right-back spot has been a problem area for Barcelona for several years. They have failed to fill Dani Alves’s void since his first spell at Camp Nou ended. And numerous right-backs have struggled to perform consistently for Barcelona. The situation has been so dire that Xavi Hernandez had to utilise Jules Kounde, a centre-back, as a right-back last season.
As we approach the 2023/24 campaign, Kounde remains the first-choice right-back. But the French international wants to play in his preferred position, even though he was solid on the right flank. So it behoves Barcelona to invest in a right-back. But with Manchester City demanding €50 million for Cancelo’s services, the Blaugrana might have to bow out of the race to sign him.
On the other hand, Arsenal might be in a position to afford to pay €50 million to secure Cancelo’s services. But after signing Jurrien Timber from Ajax, the Gunners do not need a new full-back, even though Mikel Arteta does not have an offensive-minded right-back or left-back. Nonetheless, Joao Cancelo remains on Arsenal’s radar.
Also Read: Jurrien Timber: Bringing versatility and completing the Arsenal defence
Manchester City’s insistence on recouping €50 million from Cancelo’s sale means the 29-year-old might remain at the Etihad. And with Kyle Walker’s future uncertain, he might save Manchester City some money instead of compelling them to enter the market for a replacement. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for him.
