A surprising development has caused a stir in European football circles in recent hours, following unannounced moves suggesting the potential return of a prominent star to one of Spain’s biggest clubs during the upcoming winter transfer window. Details remain unclear, but indications suggest that things are moving quickly behind the scenes, with other major clubs closely monitoring the situation.
Full Details
Related topics
Mundo Deportivo has revealed that João Cancelo is very close to returning to Barcelona after expressing his desire to leave Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal during the January transfer window, despite being under contract until the summer of 2027. The 31-year-old Portuguese player is seeking to resume his career in Europe, and the Catalan club is among the top potential destinations.
According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona has made contact in the last 48 hours to inquire about Cancelo’s contract status. Cancelo previously played for the Catalan club on loan during the 2023-2024 season, having joined from Manchester City. Inter Milan and Juventus are both closely monitoring the situation, intensifying the competition for the player’s signature.
Cancelo has never hidden his emotional connection to Barcelona and his boyhood club, Benfica. Before joining Al-Hilal, he tried to return to Barcelona, either on loan or permanently, but the deal fell through due to Financial Fair Play regulations. After facing Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, the player reaffirmed his public stance, saying:
“I’m a Barcelona fan, that’s normal. I love Barcelona and I love the city. I love the group I was with at Barcelona, and now I’m at Al-Hilal and continuing on my path.”
The Significance of the Transfer
Cancelo is highly regarded within Barcelona, not only for his connection to the club but also for his strong personality, commitment, and versatility on the pitch. He can play as a left-back to provide competition for Alejandro Baldé, or as a right-back, giving coach Hansi Flick additional options to rest Koundé or redeploy him in central defense when needed.
With Barcelona looking for quality reinforcements in the winter, Cancelo’s return remains a strong option, amid anticipation of developments in negotiations and the possibility of overcoming the financial obstacles that previously prevented the completion of the deal.
