The past few hours have witnessed rapid developments in the future of Portuguese star Joao Cancelo , the right-back of Saudi club Al-Hilal, as the player is close to leaving the walls of “Al-Za’eem” during the current winter transfer window, amid great European interest in his services.
Details of the Italian offer and Al-Hilal's stance
The renowned Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed in a report published on Saturday that Inter Milan to re-sign Joao Cancelo. According to the report, the Italian club is seeking to acquire the player on loan until the end of the current 2025/2026 season. The proposed offer includes a financial clause stipulating that Al-Hilal would cover 60% of the player's monthly salary to finalize the deal, reflecting the financial challenges European clubs face in attracting Saudi league stars at their current wages.
The player's desire and the challenges of returning to Barcelona
Despite the seriousness of the Italian offer, Cancelo's personal preference lies in La Liga, specifically a return to Barcelona , where he previously played. However, reports indicate that the Catalan club, due to its complex financial considerations, Financial Fair Play regulations, and current tactical vision, does not prioritize signing the Portuguese full-back in the winter transfer window, leaving the player in a difficult position between his desire and the available options.
Motives for leaving and the World Cup dream
These developments come amidst a decisive technical decision by Al-Hilal's management and coaching staff, led by Jorge Jesus, to remove Cancelo's name from the team's Asian Champions League squad, after his earlier exclusion from the domestic league. This effectively means he is out of the club's plans for the foreseeable future. This situation is pushing the player to seek a quick solution to ensure consistent playing time, as he has his sights set on the strategic goal of securing a starting position with the Portuguese national team for the 2026 World Cup , something that can only be achieved through regular match appearances.
Historical background and figures
It's worth noting that Cancelo has previous experience in Serie A, having worn the Inter Milan jersey during the 2017/2018 season on loan from Valencia, where he delivered impressive performances. The 31-year-old joined Al-Hilal in the summer of 2014 from Manchester City, and this season he has only featured in six matches, scoring one goal and providing two assists in 469 minutes of play, before his playing time in the team suddenly diminished.
