3 reasons why Arsenal should avoid Joao Cancelo

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 13: Joao Cancelo of Bayern Muenchen and Kenan Karaman of FC Schalke 04 during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on May 13, 2023 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 13: Joao Cancelo of Bayern Muenchen and Kenan Karaman of FC Schalke 04 during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on May 13, 2023 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images) /
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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

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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