International press reports have revealed a major surprise regarding the future of Portuguese star Joao Cancelo , the right-back of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal club, as the player is very close to leaving the ranks of “Al-Za’eem” during the upcoming winter transfer window, and returning to European stadiums through his former club, Barcelona of Spain.
Final agreement with Barcelona
According to the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, negotiations between the parties involved have progressed significantly, with sources close to the player confirming that a final agreement has been reached on the personal terms of his transfer to the Catalan club. Reports indicate that the official announcement of the deal could be imminent, pending the finalization of some procedural and financial details between the two clubs in the coming days.
Green light from the crescent
On the other hand, Al-Hilal's management seems open to finalizing the deal, especially given the recent developments within the team. The coaching staff has shown flexibility regarding the Portuguese full-back's departure in January, as part of a comprehensive plan to restructure the squad and strengthen its ranks to meet the ambitions of the upcoming phase and compete for all domestic and continental titles.
Historical background and Cancelo's relationship with Barcelona
Barcelona's interest in Cancelo is not new; the player has a strong connection with the Catalan club and its fans. Cancelo previously enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Blaugrana last season, where he delivered outstanding performances that made him a key player in the squad. Despite Barcelona's desire to keep him permanently at the time, the financial crisis and Financial Fair Play regulations in La Liga prevented the loan from being made permanent, leading to his return to Manchester City before his move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2024.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
This deal is significant on several levels. For Barcelona, bringing back Cancelo represents an ideal solution to the right-back problem the team has suffered from for years, as the player possesses exceptional attacking abilities and tactical flexibility that allows him to play on either flank. As for Al-Hilal, the departure of a player of Cancelo's caliber could open the door for new signings to fill his position or utilize the foreign player slot in another position the team needs.
A distinguished career in European stadiums
It's worth noting that João Cancelo boasts an impressive resume, having played for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Benfica, Valencia, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. Despite joining Al-Hilal with high hopes of making a significant contribution to the Saudi league, the player's desire to return to Europe, specifically to Barcelona, appears to have been the decisive factor in this rapid career shift.
