Arsenal step up pursuit of Manchester City outcast

Manchester City became just the second team in the history of English men’s football to complete a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble on Saturday. 

City’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul saw Pep Guardiola’s side replicate Manchester United’s famous 1999 treble, and also marked the first time that the Citizens have triumphed in Europe’s top club competition.

Rodri’s second-half goal was enough to secure victory over a resilient Inter side, and the result sparked jubilant scenes in the City end of the stadium and back in Manchester.

Once the celebrations have finished, though, Guardiola and those in charge of the club will have to turn their attention to the upcoming transfer window.

City have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks, while several of their current stars could also be on their way out of The Etihad.

Now, it appears that one of City’s defenders could be on his way to one of their biggest rivals.

As per Football Insider, Arsenal are stepping up their interest in City full-back Joao Cancelo.

Cancelo is said to be a target for Arsenal this summer

The Portugal international had been a key player for Guardiola over the past three years, but he was loaned to Bayern Munich in January after his relationship with the Spaniard reportedly turned sour.

He now faces an uncertain future in Manchester following the expiry of his loan spell, but it appears that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to lure him to the capital.

The report claims that Bundesliga champions Bayern will not activate an option-to-buy clause that was included in the loan deal, and Cancelo has reportedly been told that he has no future at The Etihad.

That could open the door for Arsenal to move for the full-back, but it remains to be seen whether or not City would sell the player to one of their biggest rivals.

Last summer, Arsenal signed both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from City, before leading the Premier League table for several months and finishing the season as City’s closest competitors in the Premier League.

Gunners boss Arteta worked with Cancelo briefly during his time as Guardiola’s assistant, and the former Everton midfielder is reportedly keen to add an experienced player to his ranks.

In total, Cancelo has made 154 appearances across all competition for City since joining the club back in 2019, winning three Premier League titles during that time.