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Brendan Madden

Arsenal set to miss out on Joao Cancelo as Manchester City outcast closes in on Barcelona loan move

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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.

  • Cancelo only considering Barca
  • Salary and loan fee yet to be agreed
  • Deal 'matter of time'

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.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL? Arsenal, reeling from the injury to new signing Jurrien Timber will have to search elsewhere for cover at full back with Benjamin Pavard a potential target.

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