Cancelo Set for Barcelona Return as Saudi Exit Nears
Joao Cancelo is on the brink of completing a return to Barcelona after Fabrizio Romano gave the deal his Here We Go confirmation, signalling the final stages of an agreement between the Catalan club and Al-Hilal. The Portuguese full-back is closing in on a Camp Nou comeback after cutting short an unhappy spell in Saudi Arabia.
The move follows Barcelona’s push to reinforce their defensive options, with Cancelo making it clear that a return to Spain is his priority. After spending the 2023–24 season on loan at the club, the 30-year-old is now set to rejoin a side he left a strong impression on, despite interest from Inter Milan.
Cancelo joined Al-Hilal permanently from Manchester City in 2024 in a deal worth around £22 million, arriving with high expectations and a reported annual salary of up to £13 million. While his first campaign delivered reasonable output, six assists and two goals in 31 appearances, the current season has been far more turbulent.
Fitness issues and a reported breakdown in his relationship with head coach Simone Inzaghi limited him to just two Saudi Pro League appearances in the 2025–26 campaign. Al-Hilal’s decision to remove him from their foreign player list for the second half of the season underlined his standing at the club and opened the door for an early exit.
Barcelona’s interest comes at a critical point in their season. Hansi Flick’s side sit top of La Liga but have identified right-back as a problem area amid injuries and inconsistency. Cancelo’s availability, experience, and familiarity with the club’s structure have made him a priority target during the January window.
For the player, the move offers a chance to reset his career in an environment where he previously thrived. With the transfer window nearing its conclusion, the timing has become decisive for all parties involved.
Cancelo’s loan stint at Barcelona during the 2023–24 season proved highly productive. He featured in 42 matches across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing five assists while becoming a key figure in major fixtures.
One of his standout moments came in the Champions League group stage against Porto, where his decisive goal secured qualification for the knockout rounds. His attacking instincts, technical quality, and intensity made him a fan favourite and a trusted option in high-pressure matches.
Barcelona’s system under Flick places heavy demands on full-backs, requiring them to contribute in buildup play and provide width in advanced areas. Cancelo’s ability to operate on either flank, step into midfield, and deliver in the final third aligns closely with those requirements.
His understanding of positional rotations and tempo control is seen as a valuable asset for a side balancing domestic and European ambitions during a congested calendar.
The breakdown of Cancelo’s situation in Riyadh, combined with Barcelona’s defensive concerns, accelerated negotiations. Inter Milan’s interest briefly threatened to complicate matters, but Barcelona moved quickly to secure the player’s approval and push talks forward.
With Al-Hilal keen to resolve the situation and free up squad space, the conditions for a deal fell into place.
Final steps before completion
The remaining hurdle is administrative rather than sporting. All documentation must be finalised before the January transfer deadline on January 31 at 11pm GMT to allow Barcelona to register Cancelo for the remainder of the season.
If completed in time, the deal will give Flick an experienced and versatile option for the decisive months ahead, while Cancelo gets the opportunity to revive his career at a club where his impact was already proven.