Joao Cancelo is calmly waiting on holiday in Sardinia for Barcelona and Al Hilal to finalise a permanent transfer, despite being under contract with the Saudi club until 2027, according to reports in Spain.
The 32-year-old Portugal international, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, has made clear his priority is to continue at the Camp Nou, with his personal terms already agreed with the Catalan club.
Cancelo’s loan deal with Barca expired a week before Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain in the last 16. Following his international exit, the right-back travelled to the Italian island of Sardinia, where he remains while the two clubs negotiate his future.
Contract agreed, tax details pending
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona and Cancelo have settled the main elements of his contract, leaving only “some tax details” to be completed before an official announcement can be made.
The Portuguese full-back is described as “totally calm” about the situation. The report states that “all he wants is to play for Barcelona”, and he is prepared to wait while the clubs work through the remaining issues.
Barcelona, however, are not expecting the deal to be completed before the first team travel to their pre-season training camp at St George’s Park in England later this month.
As a result, it is considered likely that Cancelo will begin pre-season training with Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi, even though all parties are working towards a permanent transfer to the Spanish champions.
Barcelona’s defensive planning
Barcelona’s La Liga campaign is scheduled to begin on Sunday 23 August away to Elche, leaving the club with some breathing space to resolve the transfer before competitive action starts.
In the meantime, new head coach Hansi Flick has several options at full-back within his current squad structure.
From the first team, Alejandro Balde is available, while reserve-team player Joan Femenias Torres (referred to locally as “Jofre Torrents”) can also operate on the flank. In addition, Gerard Martin, who has been converted from left-back into a central defender, remains another possibility for Flick as he assesses his defensive resources.
On Tuesday, 17-year-old left-back Jordi Pescador joined first‐team training, with Balde following an individual programme as part of his fitness management.
Al Hilal stance and player priority
Al Hilal, who hold Cancelo’s registration until 2027, must reach agreement with Barcelona on a transfer fee and structure before the move can be completed.
The Saudi Pro League side are expected to demand a significant sum for a player of Cancelo’s experience and profile, having signed him as part of their high‐profile recruitment drive.
Nevertheless, the player’s clear preference is understood to be decisive. Cancelo spent the 2023-24 season under Xavi at Barcelona, playing a key role in both domestic and European fixtures, and is believed to see the Camp Nou – and La Liga – as the ideal stage for the remaining peak years of his career.
With the new La Liga season still weeks away and negotiations ongoing, Barcelona are confident there is sufficient time to conclude a deal, even if Cancelo’s pre‐season starts in Riyadh rather than Catalonia.
