Ex-Bayern professional
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After a year and a half in the Saudi Pro League, João Cancelo is returning to Europe for the time being. According to information from transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, a loan deal between Al-Hilal FC and FC Barcelona is about to be completed. The Spanish newspapers “Sport” and “Mundo Deportivo” as well as the radio station “Cope” also report that execution is approaching.
The Portuguese was already on loan for the Catalans in the 2023/24 season before moving permanently from his then parent club Manchester City to Saudi Arabia for a fee of 25 million euros. Since then, the full-back has 17 scorers in 45 competitive games in the Al-Hilal jersey. Inter Milan were also interested in the 31-year-old’s services and are said to have already agreed on the modalities of a transfer with Cancelo’s club. For the 64-time national player, whose contract runs until 2027, only Barça was an option right from the start, it is said. According to Romano, the Catalans will pay a loan fee of four million euros as part of the deal, and Cancelo will come until the end of the season.
At the Blaugrana, the variable defender can be planned as an alternative to Andreas Christensen, who injured his cruciate ligament. Coach Hansi Flick is said to have initially been skeptical about a Cancelo transfer and preferred a pure central defender, but the former national coach ultimately gave his “go”. Cancelo had collected nine scorers in 42 competitive games during his first Barcelona stop under Its former peak market value of 70 million euros had steadily fallen in recent years to 10 million euros recently.