“We can’t afford him and that’s why we’re giving up on him to join Arsenal before next season”- Barcelona Boss Xavi have just hinted that Arsenal have seal a deal for world-class versatile star who Barcelona cannot afford to pay his transfer fee due to their financial constraints- Player’s NOT a STRIKER

“We can’t afford him and that’s why we’re giving up on him to join Arsenal before next season”- Barcelona Boss Xavi have just hinted that Arsenal have seal a deal for world-class versatile star who Barcelona cannot afford to pay his transfer fee due to their financial constraints- Player’s NOT a STRIKER

ARSENAL STILL INTERESTED IN SIGNING MAN CITY’S JOAO CANCELO

Arsenal could overtake Barcelona in the summer transfer window to sign Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, reports Sport.

The north London giants are currently well stocked with full-backs, but they continue to be linked with a possible Cancelo transfer.

Sport (page 8) claims that Barcelona are interested in re-signing Cancelo after his season-long loan.

However, they can only afford another loan with an option to buy for around €25 million.

Meanwhile, City believe they can get almost double the price from other interested parties and it is also mentioned that Arsenal still want to sign Cancelo.

ARSENAL UNLIKELY TO SIGN CANELO THIS SUMMER
The Gunners were already interested in signing the Portuguese international last summer, but City were reluctant to negotiate with a direct title rival.

Having strengthened the Gunners’ squad with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus in 2022, they were not about to do the same with a deal for Cancelo.

This paved the way for the former Inter Milan player to move to Barcelona, where he became a big hit with four goals and four assists in 33 appearances.

Arsenal are being linked with him again, but we don’t think there will be a deal. City are unlikely to change their stance on not doing business with Arsenal.

The other thing is that the Gunners hierarchy is unlikely to pay €45-50 million for Cancelo, who turns 30 in May and may not be in his prime for a long time.

Cancelo, described by Julian Nageslmann as “world class”, has also spoken of his desire to return to Barcelona and may force Cityzense to negotiate a new loan.

In our opinion, this is pure speculation and a summer deal is unlikely.

Statistics from Transfermarkt.com