The past few hours have witnessed exciting developments in the file of Saudi League professionals, as international press reports revealed that a new club has entered strongly in the race to sign Portuguese star Joao Cancelo, the right-back of Al-Hilal, during the upcoming winter transfer window, joining the list of interested parties that includes European giants.
Porto are competing with Inter and Barcelona
According to a report published on Thursday by the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Portuguese club Porto has expressed serious interest in acquiring the services of their compatriot João Cancelo. This interest intensifies the competition, which was previously limited to Inter Milan and Barcelona, both of whom are seeking to bolster their squads with a full-back possessing extensive international experience and exceptional attacking capabilities.
Reports indicated that the main motivation behind the player’s potential departure lies in his urgent desire for continuous and essential participation to ensure his full physical and technical readiness, in order to secure a starting position in the Portuguese national team participating in the 2026 World Cup finals, which is the ultimate goal for many stars at this stage of their careers.
Cancelo's situation with Al-Hilal and the technical constraints
This news coincides with reports indicating that Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus (whose nationality was initially incorrectly stated as Italian and later corrected) is considering the team's local and foreign player roster. Al-Hilal secured the services of the 31-year-old player during the 2024/2025 summer transfer window, acquiring him from Manchester City in a high-profile deal.
During the current season, the international full-back participated in 6 matches with “Al-Zaeem”, during which he was able to make his mark by scoring one goal and creating two goals during 469 minutes of play, which confirms his high technical value despite the short period.
A remarkable career and historical background
The interest shown by European clubs in Cancelo is no coincidence; the player boasts an impressive track record in European football. He previously wore the Inter Milan jersey during the 2017/2018 season while on loan from Valencia, where he delivered outstanding performances that remain etched in the memories of Italian fans. He also had successful stints with Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, making him one of the most experienced full-backs in the world.
Expected impact of the deal
If Cancelo's transfer is finalized and he returns to Europe, whether through Porto or a move back to one of the top five leagues, it will create significant activity in the transfer market. Al-Hilal will need to find a replacement of similar quality to maintain their domestic and continental dominance, while European clubs will benefit from a player with exceptional attacking options and the ability to play on either wing, which explains the current three-way battle to secure his signature.
