Joao Cancelo set for loan move to Barcelona despite Arsenal’s interest

Arsenal are set to miss out on a move for Joao Cancelo, with the Manchester City defender closing in on a loan move to La Liga side Barcelona.

WHAT HAPPENED? The versatile Portuguese has been frozen out at City since being jettisoned on loan to Bayern Munich in January. A move seemed inevitable after Cancelo was left out of City’s season opener at Burnley but despite interest from Arsenal, Fabrizio Romano reports that Cancelo is close to joining Barcelona with a move ‘a matter of time’.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Exact terms are yet to be agreed but Barca will be relieved to recruit a player who can operate in either full-back position while adding undoubted overall quality to the squad. An injury to defender Ronald Araujo further exposed lack of defensive options available to Xavi Hernandez.

Source: Goal