Joao Cancelo in action for Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals against his parent club Manchester City. Photo: Getty Images/Matthias Hangst Arsenal are interested in unpopular Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo and are working to structure a £92m deal for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
But they fear City won't. be ready to sell to them this summer after the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko helped them propel Pep Guardiola's team into this season's Premier League title race.
Arsenal want to bolster their full-back this summer and have shown serious Interest in Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda in January, which could be revisited if the 28-year-old Cancelo proves impossible.
Cancelu was loaned to Bayern Munich in January but will return to City at the end of the season, failing to impress German club head coach Thomas Tuchel.
This alarmed Arsenal, whose head coach Mikel Arteta briefly worked with Cancelo at City before he took over the Emirates in December 2019, four months after the Portuguese moved to Manchester.Cancelo's City contract runs until 2027, meaning League leaders control his future after signing the latest extension, which included an £80,000-a-week increase to his original salary.
< p>The Portugal international will add trophy experience to Arteta's young side, who have won two titles with City, one with Juventus and one with Benfica. Bayern are also on track to win the Bundesliga this season.
Arsenal fear City will be more reluctant to do business with them this year, but it remains to be seen if Cancelo will have other options for consideration, or whether Guardiola is ready to keep him at the club.
The search for an Arsenal defender has become even more pressing amid concerns that Takehiro Tomiyasu will be out of action until Christmas after knee surgery and the club's desire to sell Kieran Tierney.
Tierney is one of many players including Granit Xhaku, who is close to agreeing a move to Bayer Leverkusen, Rob Holding, Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares, who are all set to be sold by Arsenal, while bids are pending for Emil Smith Rowe, Charlie Patino and Albert Sambi Lokong, who has been linked with Burnley.
Raising funds from sales will help boost Arteta's transfers, with the largest commission currently held for Rice.
Arsenal prepare bid for club record £92m for Rice, but West Ham will want to make the most of this upfront fee.
Despite interest from Manchester United, Arsenal »remains confident that they can negotiate a deal with West Ham and get Rice this summer.
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