Recent days have witnessed unexpected developments within Barcelona, as the club appears poised to make significant changes to its squad during the current winter transfer window, amid uncertainty surrounding the future of some key players.
The main topic of interest is the potential return of João Cancelo, the experienced full-back who made a strong impression during his previous stint at Camp Nou before his move to Saudi Arabia due to the club’s inability to afford his transfer at the time. After a year and a half of an unsuccessful experience in Saudi Arabia, Cancelo seems determined to return to Europe, aiming to regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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The club, which is suffering from a lack of reliable wing-back options following Ronald Araujo’s absence and Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury, sees Cancelo as a versatile player: capable of playing on either wing and covering the right or left-back positions as needed. Hansi Flick has confirmed that signing a new full-back has become a top priority, especially after the decline in form of some current players and their struggles with physical problems.
Cancelo’s return could lead to a major reshuffle within the team, as he is expected to put pressure on players like Geoffrey Torrente and Jules Koundé, increasing competition for their starting positions. Torrente, once considered the club’s next big talent, has failed to capitalize on his limited opportunities, while Koundé’s form has become questionable due to repeated errors and a decline in performance.
According to press reports, advanced negotiations are underway to secure Cancelo’s loan move until the end of the season. The player is reportedly willing to make significant financial concessions to wear the Blaugrana jersey again, making this deal one of the most important developments that could reshape the team in the second half of the season.
