Arsenal could sign Man City defender Joao Cancelo

Journalist Steve Bates says that Arsenal could ‘definitely’ sign Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo if he is made available in the summer.

The Lowdown: Unhappy at Bayern

There have been reports that Cancelo is already unhappy at Bayern Munich, who he was loaned out to by City in the January transfer window.

He is thought to be ‘frustrated’ at his lack of game time of late, having only started in four of seven games since arriving in Germany, with no starts coming in his last three matches in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola has already admitted that he does not know what will happen with Cancelo after his loan spell ends, citing his frustration at his lack of game time at City as well, he was left on the bench on three of his last five Premier League games before moving to the Allianz Arena.

Bayern themselves are thought to be hesitant about paying the €70m (£61m) option to sign Cancelo on a permanent deal, so it will be interesting to see where his future lies.

The Latest: Arsenal could ‘definitely’ sign Cancelo

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Bates says that Arsenal would be one of the clubs who could ‘definitely’ sign Cancelo in the summer, if City allowed him to leave:

“I’ve seen reports that Bayern Munich may not pursue him at the end of the loan deal.

“They don’t have an agreement obligating them to sign him, and if he’s not pulling up any trees at the moment, then I can’t see them pushing ahead with that.

“Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with him and there’s no doubt that if he was to be sold by Manchester City, then a lot of Premier League clubs in the top four or five would definitely be after him, as would many of the top clubs in Europe.

“I think Real Madrid have been looking at him as well.”

The Verdict: Why not?

The Gunners have already signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from City with the help of their former assistant manager Mikel Arteta, so Cancelo is another player who could thrive in a different environment in North London.

Hailed as a ‘special player‘ by journalist Josh Bunting, the Portugal international has already helped City win two Premier League titles, among other accolades.

Nonetheless, his ability to play at both right-back and left-back would also offer the Gunners extra versatility in those areas, and so this deal seems like a no-brainer if it can be done.