Barcelona’s proposed deal for Joao Cancelo has been delayed by administrative obstacles, including tax-related issues, rather than a breakdown in negotiations with Al Hilal, according to reports in Spain.
The Portugal full-back returned to training with Al Hilal at the Al Majdiah Sports Center in Riyadh on Friday. Cancelo had been absent from the Saudi club’s pre-season camp in Austria after completing his involvement with Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
His return to Al Hilal training raised questions over whether his expected move to Barcelona had stalled. However, Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that the 32-year-old is only continuing to train with his current club while the final details of his transfer are resolved.
The report said the delay is linked to bureaucratic matters affecting Barcelona, with taxation among the issues still to be settled. Once those matters are resolved, Cancelo is expected to return to Barcelona to sign a new contract.
That agreement would run for two more seasons, keeping him at the club until 2028. The transfer fee is expected to be between 8m and 10m euros.
Cancelo spent the second half of last season at Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal and reportedly convinced German manager Hansi Flick of his ability during that spell. The expected move would therefore allow the defender to continue working under Flick on a permanent basis.
The Portugal international joined Al Hilal from Manchester City in the summer of 2024. He produced strong performances during his first season in Saudi Arabia, but was left out of the club’s domestic squad for his second campaign.
That decision prompted Cancelo to begin looking for a departure from Al Hilal, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination. His latest training appearance for the Saudi club is therefore understood to be temporary, pending the completion of the outstanding administrative requirements.
Barcelona’s interest has not been reported as cancelled, and the current expectation is that Cancelo will complete the move once the club resolves the remaining issues. Until then, he will continue preparing with Al Hilal despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.