The past few hours have witnessed remarkable developments in the player transfer file during the current winter transfer period, as reliable press reports revealed a radical change in the strategy of the Spanish club Barcelona regarding the signing of the Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo, who is currently playing for the Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Barcelona changes its priorities
According to a report published today, Friday, by KrrishFT, Barcelona's management has decided to remove Joao Cancelo from their list of top priorities for this winter transfer window. This decision comes after a series of internal discussions that failed to produce a mutually agreeable deal with the Saudi club. The Spanish side had hoped to acquire the player on loan with an option to buy, given the club's financial challenges and Financial Fair Play regulations. However, this arrangement did not receive immediate acceptance or a final agreement, prompting Barcelona to explore other options or postpone the idea.
Inter Milan enters the race
With Barcelona's interest waning, Inter Milan have emerged as a strong potential destination for the Portuguese full-back. Reports indicate that the Nerazzurri have begun more serious negotiations and are in constant contact with the player's agent. Cancelo has prior experience in Serie A and with Inter specifically, having previously worn the Inter jersey during the 2017/2018 season while on loan from Valencia, where he delivered outstanding performances that established him as one of the top full-backs in Serie A.
World Cup ambitions and the player's situation with Al-Hilal
On a personal level, João Cancelo has his sights set on representing Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. To achieve this, he understands the urgent need to increase his playing time and secure regular starting positions in a competitive environment that will guarantee him a place in the "Brazil of Europe" squad. This comes at a time when reports indicate that Jorge Jesus, the manager of Al-Hilal, may not favor re-registering the player in the team's domestic squad, further complicating the player's situation in Riyadh.
Cancelo's numbers with the leader
It is worth noting that Al-Hilal signed the 31-year-old player in the summer transfer window of the 2024/2025 season, acquiring him from Manchester City in a lucrative deal. During his time with the club this season, Cancelo has only participated in six matches, managing to score one goal and provide two assists in 469 minutes of play. These are statistics the player is keen to improve, whether by staying and playing regularly or by moving on to a new challenge.
