Why Arsenal fans should not get excited by the Joao Cancelo links

A crucial summer was going to beckon at Arsenal whether or not they were able to get their hands on the Premier League title.

Unfortunately, the chances of Martin Odegaard lifting the trophy aloft on 28 May now look remarkably slim, but Man City’s likely triumph should only spur the club on in the transfer market.

The transfer rumour mills are already beginning to purr, with the latest reports suggesting that City full-back Joao Cancelo is of interest. The prospect of the Portuguese international joining the club has undoubtedly excited supporters, but a move for Cancelo this summer is unlikely.

Why Arsenal fans should not get excited by the Joao Cancelo links

Arsenal’s interest in Cancelo is understandable. While full-back isn’t an obvious need, Cancelo will likely be available once his loan at Bayern Munich comes to an end, and he’s the sort of player whose talent could elevate the Gunners as they prepare for their first taste of Champions League football in six years.

The 28-year-old, like Oleksandr Zinchenko, is a unicorn footballer who can perform a variety of unique functions to an incredibly high level. Cancelo’s adept at attacking the touchline and drifting infield to aid the build-up, although he does have limitations defensively. He’s a more spectacular Zinchenko, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s more effective.

Cancelo’s talent alone is enough to pique Arsenal’s interest, and while Man City will likely let the player leave this summer, surely they won’t let him depart to the side that has just pushed them all the way in the Premier League title race?

The additions of Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus ahead of the 2022/23 campaign helped Arsenal cut a 24-point gap between themselves and the Citizens to single digits. The acquisition of Cancelo could potentially further eat at City’s current advantage next season given how his profile aligns with Mikel Arteta’s ideals. It’d be a great on-pitch fit, but his signing would carry financial and perhaps political risks given his lofty salary and reported fallout with Pep Guardiola.

Cancelo is currently City’s fourth-highest-paid player earning a £13m salary, according to Spotrac. Arsenal would have to offer the player a package within this ballpark which – before Bukayo Saka’s contract extension is made official – would make him, at least, the second-highest-paid player at the club.

Some might argue Cancelo is worth the risk and that these are the sorts of gambles a club in Arsenal’s position have to take if they’re to eventually usurp Man City. However, it’s likely that the Citizens won’t give the Gunners the chance to even weigh up the pros and cons. There’s not a chance they let Cancelo fall into Arteta’s lap.