At a glance
- Joao Cancelo is currently enjoying a second successful loan at FC Barcelona.
- Flick wants the full back to stay, but he’s still under contract at Al-Hilal for another season.
- No decisions will be made on his plight until the end of the Saudi campaign.
Joao Cancelo’s intended permanent transfer to FC Barcelona won’t be straightforward, as explained by Mundo Deportivo.
The Portuguese is currently enjoying a successful second loan in Catalonia. By the end of May, it looks likely to see him become the only player to win the top flight title in Germany, England, Italy and Spain.
His eight goal contributions (two goals and six assists) in 18 appearances across all competitions have seen him nail down the left back spot in Alejandro Balde’s injured absence.
Hansi Flick wants the Portuguese to stay. Yet there could be some complications in the next few months stopping the veteran from becoming a permanent Blaugrana player.
Al-Hilal might want to keep Cancelo after all
It previously seemed Cancelo was surplus to requirements there. But Al-Hilal will reportedly try and convince him to stay if Simeone Inzaghi decides he wants the number 2 after all.
That’d see him renew a contract set to expire on June 30, 2027. In turn, it would perhaps end all hope of soon to be 32-year-old being bought outright.
If Inzaghi doesn’t want Cancelo, however, he’ll then be put on the market. The highest bidder will get him, meaning Barca must compete with rivals from Europe and elsewhere.
Barca were previously quoted a reasonable €15 million for Cancelo considering Al-Hilal paid Manchester City €30 million for him in 2024.
There’s been talk of Marc Casado possibly acting as a bargaining chip in a potential part exchange deal. But in the end, it is the influence of Casado’s agent and Joan Laporta ally Jorge Mendes that will prove key in Barca possibly getting their man.
Should the Cancelo coup not come off, Flick will still be able to bank on Balde to cover the left. To a certain extent, Gerard Martin is another back up too.
That would take Gerard away from partnering Pau Cubarsi in the centre, however, and Cancelo’s versatility means he’s another option for the right defensive flank too.
