Arsenal's approach for Joao Cancelo this summer may have taken a huge twist due to Bayern Munich's dramatic final day in the Bundesliga. The Manchester City defender has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer to help bolster Mikel Arteta's ranks.
The Spaniard has switched his system to involve a heavier use of inverted full-backs, with the addition of Oleksandr Zinchenko allowing him to do that. Cancelo could fit that bill perfectly, adding plenty of quality in the middle and final third, while also playing on both sides.
"I think next season is going to be even harder than this season – which in my opinion has been the hardest of the 22 years that I’ve been in this league," Arteta said when asked about preparing transfers for next campaign. "In order to do that, we have a promising plan, we may have to reflect a little bit, take a step back, make sure this is the right one and go again with even more determination and hunger in the tummies to go again."
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Cancelo could be an option to add to that promise, but it remains to be seen whether City would be open to a deal this summer. There's also the complication of other interests, such as a permanent switch to Bayern after his loan spell there comes to an end.
Reports have claimed that Bayern hold a £61 million transfer option in the Portugal international's deal that could see him make a return to Germany. That itself may have become a more tangible possibility after drama in the final day of the Bundesliga saw Bayern Munich win an 11th straight title with a win over Koln, while Borussia Dortmund drew with Mainz.
It remains to be seen whether Thomas Tuchel will make the move permanent, having had his Bayern plan this season work to perfection in the end but with plenty of work left to do.
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