3 reasons why Arsenal should avoid Joao Cancelo

With Arsenal’s title charge all but coming to an end on Sunday against Brighton, transfer rumours have taken over, and the latest name on the back pages is Man City’s Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese fullback was one of City’s best players for a couple of seasons before a bust-up with Pep Guardiola saw him depart for Bayern Munich on loan.

The Bavarian club are said to be unwilling to pay the agreed €70m that would be required to make the deal permanent, leading to reports that Mikel Arteta will look to bring him to Arsenal this summer, but this is one the club should steer clear of.

3 reasons Arsenal should avoid Joao Cancelo

🗞️| Arsenal are interested in Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, but fear City will be more reluctant to do business with them this year.

It remains to be seen whether Cancelo will have other options to consider, or whether Guardiola would be prepared to keep him at the… pic.twitter.com/8eJnKllmIe
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) May 17, 2023

1. Wages and transfer fee

Last summer, Arsenal got Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus for a combined £75m, and they brought their winning experience and hunger to the club which immediately raised the level.

Cancelo, however, would cost close to that alone and earns a reported £250,000 per week, which would put him among Arsenal’s highest earners.

Considering the Gunners are in the hunt for Declan Rice, who they are reportedly preparing a £92m offer for, whilst also needing an additional midfielder, striker and centre-back, paying £50m+ for Cancelo seems like the ultimate luxury.

If Kieran Tierney leaves as expected, Arsenal will need a left-back, but given the cost of Cancelo as an overall package, they would be best served to shop elsewhere.

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