Arsenal have been very active in the transfer window today. Major updates include Kai Havertz passing his medical and a second bid being lodged for Jurrien Timber. For a full rundown of today’s transfer news involving Mikel Arteta and his team, click here.
However, this doesn’t mean that their former defensive target should be forgotten about. The noise may have reduced around Joao Cancelo, but Arsenal still keeps an eye on him. Well, that’s if news from journalist Rudy Galetti is to be believed.
🚨 Arsenal are still "interested" in a potential move for 29-year-old Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, journalist @RudyGaletti i has told GIVEMESPORT.
— afcsphere (@afcsphere) June 25, 2023
🗣️ He said: “Arsenal are certainly one of the teams interested in him, it's confirmed. But at the moment the Gunners are fully… pic.twitter.com/gpLCsjWSSC
Galetti claims that while Arsenal may be focused on signing their main transfer targets, such as Declan Rice, they are likely to fully evaluate a potential deal for Joao Cancelo after these deals have gone through.
What the Gunners must be cautious of, though, is leaving their bids too late. While patience may indeed be a virtue in the real world, in the footballing world this is not the case. Particularly when transfers are involved, managers must be ruthless and efficient when making official bids. There really is no time to wait around.
Pep Guardiola has outwardly stated that he has no issue selling Joao Cancelo to Arsenal. In fact, given that he is good friends with Arteta, this might even be Pep’s preferred destination for his world-class wantaway defender. I mean, nobody can predict what goes on in the mastered mind of Guardiola.
Should Mikel Arteta wish to pursue this deal again remains to be seen. Do you think he should push ahead and try to sign Joao Cancelo?