Barcelona’s negotiations with Al Hilal over Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo have reached an advanced stage, with the Catalan club working towards a deal worth about 10m euros.
Barcelona have already agreed personal salary terms with Cancelo, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. An agreement on the player’s wages has reportedly been in place since the end of last season, but the transfer has been held up by tax-related details.
Those issues have delayed a move that is considered a priority by both Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco. Cancelo impressed during his six-month loan spell at Camp Nou and established himself as an important part of the team.
The 31-year-old is currently undertaking individual training with permission from Al Hilal. The Saudi Arabian club does not include him in its plans for the new season and has made him available for a permanent transfer.
Al Hilal have also strengthened their options in Cancelo’s position by signing Saudi Arabia international Mohammed Mahzari for a fee of close to 8m euros. That move further underlined the club’s willingness to allow Cancelo to leave.
However, Al Hilal are keen to recover part of the money they paid to sign Cancelo from Manchester City. The expected fee for his transfer is therefore around 10m euros, a figure Barcelona view as an attractive opportunity from both a sporting and financial perspective.
Cancelo performed well in Barcelona colours during his loan spell and secured a regular starting role at left-back, despite being a natural right-back. He produced a series of impressive displays for the club and offered Flick additional tactical flexibility.
The Barcelona manager also valued Cancelo’s ability to operate in several positions. His attacking contribution was another major strength, with the Portuguese defender ranking among the team’s most productive providers of assists during the second half of last season.
Barcelona’s interest is therefore based not only on the player’s familiarity with the club, but also on his suitability to Flick’s system and the relatively modest cost of the proposed transfer. The remaining tax details are understood to be the main barrier before the agreement can be completed.
