Arsenal are still ready to push on with a deal for Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo despite being in the closing stages of a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, it has been claimed by sourced in Germany.
The Gunners have already made an ambitious start to the transfer window, signing German midfielder Kai Havertz from Chelsea, and they are expected to wrap up a club-record deal for Declan Rice this week, as well as a £40m move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Initially thought to be cover for right centre-back and right back, new reports suggest that he could just be cover at centre-back, with links to Cancelo remaining strong.
According to German outlet Kicker, the Gunners have put Cancelo ‘at the top of the list’ for defensive reinforcements, and have shortlisted Sacha Boey and RB Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs as potential alternatives should they be unable to land the Portuguese international.
With the latter two both being right-sided defenders, it would suggest that Cancelo is also being looked at in that role, a position which he has struggled to make his own in recent seasons amid competition from Kyle Walker at Manchester City and Benjamin Pavard at Bayern Munich last season.
Long linked with a move to north London, Cancelo remains under contract with Pep Guardiola’s side until 2027 and would command a fee of around £60m should a deal be considered, something that seems unlikely given Arsenal’s £200m spree already this transfer window.
