Manchester City “would not block” Arsenal’s move to sign Joao Cancelo, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Gunners are known to be keen on snapping up the Portuguese international but there have been question marks over whether his club would sanction the transfer. Jones claims that the Citizens are unlikely to have a problem as long as Arsenal meet the player’s asking price:

“Their options for finding a new left-back are pretty limited because there are very few players intelligent and versatile enough to carry out the role so specifically that Arteta is looking for. Obviously Cancelo is one of those and there is already understanding at Arsenal of what it would take to sign him from City.”

“If Arsenal are willing to pay up then City would not block the move, that’s the current feeling. It’s a stance they have held in the past and does not seem to be swayed by the fact Arsenal ran them closest in the title race this season.”

Cancelo has been out on loan at Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga champions have opted against keeping the defender on a permanent basis.

The purchase clause was believed to be worth around €70m (£60m) so that would likely be the asking price if Arsenal made an approach to sign the player.

Would Cancelo be open to a transfer to Arsenal?

While it appears that City would be willing to approve Cancelo’s switch to the Emirates, there are doubts about whether the fullback would be interested.

Reports in the German media over the past few days claim that the 28-year-old does not want to stay in the Premier League.

Barcelona did try to sign Cancelo on loan in January and it is believed he would be keen on joining them if they made an offer this summer.