Barcelona is poised to secure Joao Cancelo on a permanent transfer after the Portuguese full-back's impressive loan spell. The club has reached a verbal deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, who currently own his rights, for a fee of around €10 million including bonuses.
Cancelo played two loan spells with Barcelona and became a vital part of the squad. His return from a difficult stint in Saudi Arabia convinced both sides of the value he brings. The player himself is willing to accept a considerable salary reduction to continue competing at the highest level with a club he feels comfortable at.
While he is contracted to Al-Hilal until 2027, all parties are aligned in pushing through the transfer. Barcelona plans to offer Cancelo a two-year contract with an option for a third year. This move reportedly gained urgency after Portugal’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This signing is expected to affect the squad dynamics, particularly regarding players such as Hector Forn and Xavi Esparza, both of whom may face loans or transfers. Despite exploring other transfer targets for the left-back role, Cancelo remains the first-choice option, reflecting the trust placed in him by head coach Hansi Flick.
Simultaneously, rising talents like Marc Casado have attracted interest from Al-Hilal, creating further transfer movements. Overall, Cancelo’s potential permanent transfer is shaping up to be one of Barcelona’s key moves this summer.
