Barcelona is moving closer to securing the return of Joao Cancelo for a third stint with the club. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan giants are prepared to fly the Portuguese defender to Barcelona early next week, pending final approval from his current club, Al Hilal.
The situation surrounding the transfer has been complex, with negotiations primarily focused on financial hurdles. While the Saudi Pro League side had previously raised their asking price to €15 million, creating uncertainty, all parties are now working toward a resolution. There is growing internal confidence at Barcelona that the necessary paperwork will be completed in the coming days, potentially through the termination of the player's contract with Al Hilal.
Cancelo is reportedly eager to complete the return, and his standing within the Saudi club has further signaled that a departure is imminent. Notably, he was excluded from Al Hilal’s matchday squad for their opening league fixture. Furthermore, Simone Inzaghi has indicated that the player’s future is a matter for the club to resolve, as Cancelo no longer holds a place in the squad.
For Hansi Flick, the arrival of the Portuguese international would provide a familiar boost to the squad. Having already experienced the environment during his previous loan spell in the 2025-26 campaign, Cancelo would not require an extensive adjustment period. While questions regarding his defensive consistency against elite opposition remain, his technical versatility and ability to operate on both flanks offer a distinct tactical advantage for a team competing across multiple competitions.
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The Blaugrana are increasingly confident that the situation will be resolved soon, with the player himself pushing to complete his return.
Discussions involving the player, his representatives and Al Hilal are understood to be ongoing as all parties attempt to find a solution.
