Manchester City are set to sanction the exit of one of their high-earning players this summer – and it’s not out of the question Arsenal could come calling for him.
A number of players could be leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.
There has been a lot of talk about Ederson possibly leaving, with the goalkeeper currently mulling over an eye-watering offer to play in Saudi Arabia.
There has also again been speculation about the future of Bernardo Silva.
One man who is certainly expected to leave City this summer is Joao Cancelo, who spent last season out on loan at Barcelona.
Cancelo is no longer in the plans of Pep Guardiola after reportedly falling out with him over game time midway through the 2022/23 season.
He has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona for next season, and that is a move he wants.
But Manchester City News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey about the situation, and he advises to keep an eye on Arsenal.
Joao Cancelo highly likely to seal Barcelona return, but Arsenal one to watch
Last season, Cancelo was a trusted player for Xavi, making 42 appearances across all competitions for the club.
He impressed, mainly from an attacking point of view. But he did have some outings where he struggled defensively. After the 5-3 defeat to Villarreal back in January, he admitted that he had been a ‘disaster’.
Several times last season, club president Joan Laporta suggested that he was keen to sign Cancelo again for 2024/25.
But the situation is complicated. Barcelona can’t afford to buy him permanently, but the player – who is thought to earn around £220,000-a-week – wants that move.
Quite possibly, City may end up having no choice but to sanction another loan. That said, Arsenal – who have been linked with Cancelo previously – should not be entirely ruled out according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
The journalist told Manchester City News: “The player wants to be at Barcelona. Barcelona want him. City know Barcelona can’t afford to buy him, to be fair not many clubs could afford to buy him.
“In terms of the clubs, we know one to keep an eye on is obviously Arsenal, Arteta likes him, they looked at him in the past.
“They do need left-back cover. Arsenal are looking for a left-sider. If for whatever reason Cancelo didn’t go back to Barcelona, I think Arsenal would be an interesting one to keep an eye on.
“But as it stands the player wants to go back to Barcelona, they want him. Everything’s pointing towards a return to Barca, it really is. It would be a loan deal, there’s not much City can do about it. It’s a bit like the Jadon Sancho situation at United with (Erik) ten Hag.
“Cancelo won’t be coming back, I’m 95% certain he’s going back to Barca. He’s got three years left on his contract, what else can you do?”
Cancelo situation far from ideal for Man City
The Cancelo situation is an awkward and frustrating one for City.
Barcelona are the club most keen on him, but they cannot afford to buy him this summer and would seemingly only be able to bring him back on loan again.
The issue for City is that Barca are the player’s preference.
It will be very interesting to see if anything comes of Arsenal’s interest. Mikel Arteta has obviously worked with the ‘world class’ Cancelo before and appreciates what he can bring.
Cancelo, who featured in Portugal’s opening game at Euro 2024 against the Czech Republic, may well fancy linking back up with him and his former City teammates Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko at the Emirates Stadium.
But it’s just whether City would be willing to allow another player to join the Gunners, who are obviously title rivals.
The best possible outcome at this moment in time feels like City sending Cancelo to Barcelona on loan again, but ensuring an obligation to buy.