Al Hilal have taken a further step towards deciding Joao Cancelo’s future, with the Saudi club holding verbal discussions with the Portugal full-back’s agent as Barcelona consider whether to bring him back during the current summer transfer window.
Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Barcelona, and reports have indicated that both the player and the Catalan club would like to continue the arrangement for the coming campaign.
However, Barcelona have not yet submitted a formal bid for the 31-year-old, according to Saudi journalist Hamad Al-Suwailhi. He said the Spanish club’s interest had so far been limited to verbal enquiries rather than a concrete offer.
Al-Suwailhi reported on X that informal negotiations are currently taking place between Al Hilal and Cancelo’s representative as the Saudi club seeks clarity over where the defender will play next season.
The discussions come as Al Hilal attempt to settle the futures of their foreign players before the new campaign begins. The club’s squad has become crowded with over-age overseas players, while they are permitted to register only eight of them in the Roshn Saudi League.
Cancelo joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2024 from Manchester City and produced strong performances during his first season with the club. He was subsequently left out of the domestic squad for the second season, after which his relationship with the Saudi side became increasingly unsettled.
The full-back’s possible return to Barcelona therefore remains dependent on the two clubs reaching an agreement. For now, there is no formal proposal from Barcelona, despite the player’s previous loan spell and the reported desire of both Cancelo and the Spanish club to continue their partnership.
Al Hilal are also preparing for the opening round of the Roshn Saudi League. The club, known as “The Boss”, will begin their campaign against Al-Faisaly on Friday, 14 August, at Kingdom Arena.
That fixture will take place as Al Hilal continue to manage a squad containing more foreign players than they can register under the league’s rules. Resolving Cancelo’s position is consequently part of a wider effort to determine the club’s final overseas contingent before the season gets under way.
For Barcelona, the lack of a formal offer means the situation remains at an exploratory stage. Verbal contact between the Catalan club and Al Hilal has not yet developed into an official transfer approach, while the Saudi side is separately discussing Cancelo’s next move with his agent.
