Transfer Boost; Journalist reveals ‘world-class’ star could join Arsenal from Man City
Important update released on the future of the future Man City star.
Manchester City are yet to make a decision on Joao Cancelo’s future despite continued interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal, transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested in an update to reporters.
Cancelo spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Bayern Munich and speculation about his next move is growing.
Manchester City transfer news – Joao Cancelo
There was likely a case of ‘what could have been’ for Cancelo at the end of last season as the Portugal international watched his City team-mates win the Champions League and complete the treble.
Naturally, Cancelo was absent from City’s squad at the time, having been loaned out to Bayern Munich during the January transfer window following an alleged row with manager Guardiola.
From Guardiola and City’s perspective, the move was a masterstroke, but as the season drew to a close and Cancelo – who was described as “world class” while on loan at Bayern Munich – is on the point of returning to the club for one of the questions during the season are increasingly asked about the next step for the full-back.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth recently told reporters that Guardiola is ready to sell Cancelo during this transfer window. However, finding a suitable destination for the 44-time Portugal international could prove difficult.
What did Dean Jones say about Cancelo and Man City?
Speaking to reporters, transfer insider Jones admitted City were ready to cut ties with Cancelo but claimed they were struggling to find a candidate.
Speaking about the 29-year-old, Jones said: “The situation at the back is interesting considering Cancelo is still expected to leave and there was also a lot of uncertainty around Kyle Walker.
“Regardless of the outcome, I’ve been told that links to players like Alphonso Davies and Achraf Hakimi are completely untrue. They don’t look at players or players they particularly like.
“We all know City are changing their style of play and the transfer of Gvardiol is likely to happen which will add weight to the left flank of their defence.
“Cancello’s situation is strange at the moment. You would think that if he returns to City now, with the right effort and focus, he could easily find his way back into the team.
“But we also know that Guardiola has moved away from the model in which Cancelo was successful and that, moreover, he seems happy at the idea of not leaving it at that.” “The big question is where will he go? Barcelona are ready if he’s cheap enough or on loan. So if there’s something coming soon, it’s probably this. Arsenal have been touted and this matter is very quiet at the moment – but it may not stay that way.
“My information is that if Cancelo is still available later, Arsenal may well try to get a deal done. It’s not completely forgotten, it’s just not a top priority. More luxury.”
What next for Man City?
As alluded to by Jones, Cancelo isn’t the only defensive player linked with a move away from City, with Walker subject to interest from German outfit Bayern Munich (BILD).
Elsewhere, Sky Sports reporter Sheth told SPORTCAST in another interview that Aymeric Laporte is another player considering his options, with an Etihad Stadium exit a possibility this summer.
That’s because, according to The Athletic, the Premier League champions are closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who looks set to replace Laporte in the City squad.
It means a busy couple of weeks are expected for City in the transfer market, as Guardiola aims to build a side not only capable of defending their Premier League crown, but also their European title too.
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Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd open £70m striker talks, Chelsea £112m bid, Arsenal agreement
Express Sport brings you up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals on Friday, June 9.
We are now just five days out from opening of the summer transfer market but that hasn’t stopped a number of clubs from pouncing on targets in a bid to get their business wrapped up early. On Thursday, Liverpool unveiled their first summer capture in the form of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and there is already optimism that more arrivals will follow the World Cup winner through the door in due course.
There are so many intriguing factors in play this summer in the Premier League which could become more competitive than ever next season.
Champions Manchester City are already working on arrivals behind the scenes as they prepare for Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to launch a club-record bid for Declan Rice after West Ham’s Conference League triumph in Prague in a bid to beat Bayern Munich to the punch.
Manchester United are already making plans to sign a striker while Newcastle are looking to invest once again following their eye-catching return to the Champions League.
Then there is Liverpool, Brighton, Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and big-spending Chelsea, who are heading into an exciting new era under Mauricio Pochettino.
So where is everyone shopping? Express Sport has you covered with the latest transfer news on Friday, June 9.
Messi taunted by Aguero over MLS move
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer has quickly become one of the most hotly-anticipated transfers in world football. But the Argentina legend will have his work cut out to enjoy the levels of success he is used to this season. The 35-year-old agreed to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami this week after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain was allowed to expire at the end of the Ligue 1 season.
Messi’s former international team-mate Sergio Aguero has recognised the tall order facing his friend and told ESPN Argentina: “I spoke to Messi yesterday. I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings and I said, ‘your team is behind. You have to move up to 8th/9th.’ Messi cracked up. He said, ‘we have to make the play-offs.’”
Hudson-Odoi set to be part of Chelsea fire sale
Chelsea could be forced to rue a missed transfer opportunity this summer, with Callum Hudson-Odoi reportedly poised to leave for a bargain fee. Once tipped to be one of the Blues’ future stars, the winger failed to inspire during a recent loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen and he could be among those on the chopping block as Mauricio Pochettino reshuffles his new squad.
A loan spell at Leverkusen yielded only one goal in 21 appearances, and the German outfit are not expected to try and sign the 22-year-old permanently. According to Corriere dello Sport, Hudson-Odoi could be available for just £10million this summer.
Accepting a fee that low would be particularly painful for Pochettino’s Chelsea, who rejected a lucrative offer from Bayern Munich back in 2020. The Bavarian giants tabled a season-long loan proposal with a staggering £70m option to buy Hudson-Odoi, who was a teenager at the time. They also lodged a £30m bid to sign him permanently the year prior.
Raya valuation ‘too high’
Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be in agreement that Brentford’s £40million asking price for David Raya is too high, with both clubs reportedly willing to walk away from negotiations.
Raya has earned rave reviews as part of Brentford’s dream run in the Premier League. But a deal for the goalkeeper could be off the table before negotiations have even fully begun as neither Spurs or United are prepared to bid as high as £40m for the Spaniard, according to the Evening Standard.
Ancelotti ‘troubled’ by Perez’s Real Madrid transfer plan
Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly growing frustrated with the higher powers at Real Madrid due to their reluctance to push on with his personal transfer targets ahead of next season. The Italian is desperate for Los Blancos to put an offer on the table for Tottenham star Harry Kane, though other players are being prioritised despite not being entirely attainable.
Relevo reports that the ex-Everton boss has made it no secret in meetings that he wants Kane to be pursued vigorously. Florentino Perez was present on those occasions and agreed with the demand, but it is reported that he has since had a change of heart.
Everton contract updates as players depart
Everton have offered new contracts to Seamus Coleman, Tom Davies and Andy Lonergan.
Fellow goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has turned down an offer to remain at Goodison Park and will now depart.
Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend are also leaving Merseyside this summer on free transfers.
The Toffees also recently opted against triggering their £4.5m option to buy Conor Coady.
Newcastle budget details emerge
The Mail are reporting that Eddie Howe will have just £75m to spend this summer.
That could potentially be stretched to £100m via player sales but the Magpies need to be careful to ensure they remain in compliance with FFP regulations.
James Maddison has quickly emerged as Howe’s top summer transfer target but Tottenham are also in the hunt for the Leicester playmaker.
Moises Caicedo, Scott McTominay and Conor Gallagher are also among the names on their shortlist.
Newcastle budget details emerge
Done deal: Naby Keita joins Werder Bremen
Liverpool have confirmed midfielder Naby Keita will be joining Werder Bremen on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the month.
The Guinea international midfielder spent five years at Anfield and won seven trophies during his time on Merseyside including the Champions League and Premier League.
Keita is understood to have taken a significant pay-cut to pursue a return to Germany where he previously featured for RB Leipzig before joining the Reds for £52.75million in the summer of 2018.
His departure – alongside the exits of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – have sparked Jurgen Klopp’s summer midfield rebuild with Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram among the targets of interest following the signing of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister
Roca heading for Leeds exit door
Real Betis are upping their interest in Leeds midfielder Marc Roca.
That’s according to Relevo, who say the La Liga outfit are already working on a deal to sign the Spanish midfielder.
He only joined the Whites last summer from Bayern Munich but Roca could be available on the cheap following Leeds’ relegation.
The former Espanyol maestro could lead the Elland Road exodus with more team-mates expected to follow him out of the door.
Chelsea in for Lautaro
The Times are reporting that Chelsea are now targeting Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentine has been in breathtaking form of late, helping fire Inter to the Champions League final with a second-leg winner against AC Milan.
Martinez also notched twice for Inter in their 2-1 Coppa Italia triumph over Fiorentina a few weeks ago.
Real Madrid are also interest having recently lost Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad.
Maguire wants United stay
TalkSPORT claim Harry Maguire wants to stick it out at Manchester United decided Erik ten Hag favouring a sale.
Maguire has fallen out of favour this season despite being the club’s captain and may have to look elsewhere if he wishes to play regular football.
But the report claims he wants to fight for his place instead of pursuing a transfer, a decision that is unlikely to prove popular at United.
The Red Devils need to raise cash to spend and Maguire is one of their most sellable assets this summer.
Tottenham have been credited with interest in the Manchester United centre-back.
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transfer boost; Journalist reveals ‘world-class’ star could join Arsenal from Man City
Important update released on the future of the future Man City star.
Manchester City are yet to make a decision on Joao Cancelo’s future despite continued interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal, transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested in an update to reporters.
Cancelo spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Bayern Munich and speculation about his next move is growing.
Manchester City transfer news – Joao Cancelo
There was likely a case of ‘what could have been’ for Cancelo at the end of last season as the Portugal international watched his City team-mates win the Champions League and complete the treble.
Naturally, Cancelo was absent from City’s squad at the time, having been loaned out to Bayern Munich during the January transfer window following an alleged row with manager Guardiola.
From Guardiola and City’s perspective, the move was a masterstroke, but as the season drew to a close and Cancelo – who was described as “world class” while on loan at Bayern Munich – is on the point of returning to the club for one of the questions during the season are increasingly asked about the next step for the full-back.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth recently told reporters that Guardiola is ready to sell Cancelo during this transfer window. However, finding a suitable destination for the 44-time Portugal international could prove difficult.
What did Dean Jones say about Cancelo and Man City?
Speaking to reporters, transfer insider Jones admitted City were ready to cut ties with Cancelo but claimed they were struggling to find a candidate.
Speaking about the 29-year-old, Jones said: “The situation at the back is interesting considering Cancelo is still expected to leave and there was also a lot of uncertainty around Kyle Walker.
“Regardless of the outcome, I’ve been told that links to players like Alphonso Davies and Achraf Hakimi are completely untrue. They don’t look at players or players they particularly like.
“We all know City are changing their style of play and the transfer of Gvardiol is likely to happen which will add weight to the left flank of their defence.
“Cancello’s situation is strange at the moment. You would think that if he returns to City now, with the right effort and focus, he could easily find his way back into the team.
“But we also know that Guardiola has moved away from the model in which Cancelo was successful and that, moreover, he seems happy at the idea of not leaving it at that.” “The big question is where will he go? Barcelona are ready if he’s cheap enough or on loan. So if there’s something coming soon, it’s probably this. Arsenal have been touted and this matter is very quiet at the moment – but it may not stay that way.
“My information is that if Cancelo is still available later, Arsenal may well try to get a deal done. It’s not completely forgotten, it’s just not a top priority. More luxury.”
What next for Man City?…
As alluded to by Jones, Cancelo isn’t the only defensive player linked with a move away from City, with Walker subject to interest from German outfit Bayern Munich (BILD).
Elsewhere, Sky Sports reporter Sheth told SPORTCAST in another interview that Aymeric Laporte is another player considering his options, with an Etihad Stadium exit a possibility this summer.
That’s because, according to The Athletic, the Premier League champions are closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who looks set to replace Laporte in the City squad.
It means a busy couple of weeks are expected for City in the transfer market, as Guardiola aims to build a side not only capable of defending their Premier League crown, but also their European title too.