Arsenal suffer crucial blow in Joao Cancelo chase

Cameron Smith

Updated: 7 Apr 2024 19:46 BST
3 min read

Joao Cancelo, Barcelona, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal hopes of signing Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo have been dealt a major blow following recent reports from Spain.

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Cancelo, 29, is currently on loan at Barcelona and he has made it clear that he wants to join the Blaugrana on a permanent deal this summer, according to Matteo Moretto.

The Portuguese international has made 33 appearances for Barca this campaign, scoring four goals and providing four assists, and he wants to remain with the Spanish giants next season.

Cancelo is expected to leave Man City on a permanent deal once the 2023-24 campaign concludes, with Bayern Munich and a host of Saudi Pro League clubs interested in signing him.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the 29-year-old in recent months, although they are reportedly unlikely to sign a new defender unless Jakub Kiwior leaves the club. The Poland international has been used as a left-back in 2024 by Mikel Arteta and he has performed admirably in this position, despite being a natural centre-back.

Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato is also a key target for the Gunners, but a full-blown pursuit of the young Netherlands defender may wait until 2025.

Joao Cancelo wants Barcelona move

As per Moretto, Cancelo is pushing to join Barcelona on a permanent deal despite interest from other top European clubs.

Arsenal remain interested, but their pursuit was more intense last summer, when it was made clear that Man City weren’t willing to sell another player to their title rivals.

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both joined Arsenal in 2022 and the Gunners came close to dethroning Man City at the top of the Premier League table before a late season collapse.

In the event that Cancelo doesn’t join Barcelona, the Blaugrana are reportedly targeting a move for Fiorentina youngster Michael Kayode.