Arsenal have opened talks with Manchester City for the possible transfer of Portuguese international Joao Cancelo this summer. The 29-year-old is set to leave Manchester City this summer after being pushed out on loan in January, a surprise move for a player who was previously one of Pep Guardiola’s outstanding performers. 
Cancelo at a match for Manchester City. Source: Getty Cancelo became an important player for Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga have not made the deal permanent having been reluctant to meet the £60 million buy-out clause included in his loan contract. The German outfit opted not to activate their option to buy the 29-year-old defender, allowing Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona into the race to sign him. Arsenal has now emerged as a prospective candidate that could sign Joao Cancelo. The London club’s coach, Arteta previously worked with the player during his time with Man City. Arteta raided Etihad last summer, signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, and could be set to do the same again this year. Both Jesus and Zinchenko helped raise the Gunners’ performance levels drastically as they challenged City for the Premier League title. There is a concern at the Emirates Stadium that the Premier League champions may be reluctant to do business with Arsenal this summer after seeing the positive impact Jesus and Zinchenko had in transforming the north London outfit into title challengers. Despite Arsenal engaging in early talks for the player, Cancelo’s preference has been revealed to be a move to Spain, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the leading candidates. 
Cancelo receiving instruction from Pep Guardiola. Source: Getty A German news outlet reported that Cancelo wishes to join either of the Spanish giants in a deal that could be up to €50 million (£43 million). City is said to be reluctant to sanction another loan deal for the 29-year-old, with the player’s contract expiring in four years having agreed to a two-year extension on his original six-year deal just last summer. Barcelona’s financial situation means they will need to move on a number of players this summer as they prioritize bringing Lionel Messi back to the Nou Camp. Madrid are keen on strengthening their defensive options but are focusing on signing a replacement for Karim Benzema for now. It is also alleged that the Spanish club is prioritizing moves for Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane. This could leave Arsenal with the ability to make a swift move to secure a deal for Cancelo. Although, midfield reinforcements are set to be a bigger priority, with a big-money move to bring Declan Rice to the club thought to be a priority.
Xavi Hernandez has accused Manchester City of blocking Joao Cancelo from joining Barcelona which he manages, despite an agreement being reached. Cancelo moved to Bayern Munich on loan in January and has made 15 appearances in the German top-flight league for the Bavarian giants. 
Xavi Hernandez presiding over Barcelona match. Source: Getty In an interview with TV3, Xavi revealed that Joao Cancelo was offered to Barcelona, but the deal was struck out by Manchester City after an agreement was reached. The Barcelona manager said; “We wanted Cancelo. They offered him to us and we gave the OK. In the end, they tell us that Manchester City does not want him to come to Barça. That is true.” 
Cancelo posing with the Bundesliga trophy. Source: Getty At the moment, Bayern Munich are unlikely to activate the €70 million (£62m/$78m) purchase option in Cancelo’s contract, meaning he’s facing an uncertain future. It is also unclear if Barcelona will make a move for him again. 
The Blues defeated Manchester City to win the Champions League in 2021, few months after Tuchel was appointed as manager of the team. Cancelo who was one of the regular starters at Manchester City at the time, is now hoping to create more positive memories in 2023 with his new boss. 
The Bayern Munich star who spoke to Sport TV after helping Portugal get a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein in their opening game of Euro 2024 qualification, said; “I’ve only found out now. I know I won’t find Nagelsmann when I return to Munich. He wanted me at Bayern, I’d like to thank him. As for Tuchel, he made me lose a Champions League final, so I hope he will win it for me this year!” 
Cancelo’s loan move to Bayern Munich led to speculation of him reportedly falling out with Guardiola. However, addressing the claim at a press conference, Guardiola insisted that all is well between him and the Portuguese footballer in spite of the loan deal which includes a €70 million (£62m/$76m) purchase option. He said; 
“I wish him the very best. He has been an incredible figure in winning two Premier League titles. After the World Cup we have been playing in different patterns and I’ve given more time to other players. “Everyone has their own personality. He loves to play, he trains the best but he needs to play to be happy, so we decided together to let him go to Munich. He wants to play every game so hopefully that can happen in Munich.” When asked about possible replacements, Guardiola said he would wait and see if the club needs to target another full-back at the end of the season. 
Cancelo has been a key player for City in recent times, taking in 36 appearances for the Premier League champions last season while making the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in each of the last two campaigns. Some English media platforms reported that Manchester United and Bayern Munich are working out a short-term move with an option to buy him for €70 million (£61.6 million). The 28-year-old spent three and a half years at the Etihad after joining the club from Juventus in 2019 for €65 million (£60 million). 
Cancelo is now eager to leave to get first-team football after losing his place since the World Cup. The Portugal international has only started three of City’s 10 games since the World Cup and has not featured since the Manchester derby defeat. City’s shift in tactics, plus the emergence of teenager Rico Lewis, the ability of Nathan Ake to play left-back, and the fact manager Pep Guardiola has five central defenders in his squad means they believe they have enough cover to cope without him for the rest of the season. Bayern has already lost left-back Lucas Hernandez for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury. 
The club’s full-back Noussair Mazrouai was also sidelined recently, though they did sign the Netherlands international Daley Blind. If Cancelo seals a switch before the winter window closes on Tuesday, then he would be in line to make his debut for Bayern in either a DFB-Pokal clash with Mainz on Wednesday or a Bundesliga trip to Wolfsburg on Sunday.