Joao Cancelo Closes In On Barcelona Return
Barcelona have made a shocking decision to bring in former defender Joao Cancelo.
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Multiple reports in Spain claim João Cancelo is set for an imminent return to Camp Nou after Barcelona reached an agreement with Al Hilal to bring the Portuguese defender back for a second spell on a six-month loan.
Barça submitted an official bid earlier on Monday and talks progressed swiftly with João Cancelo’s desire to return to Catalonia playing a decisive role. Al Hilal had initially reached an agreement with Inter Milan but ultimately accepted Barcelona’s offer instead.
The Blaugrana will use the salary cap space created by Andreas Christensen’s injury to complete the move, with Hansi Flick also giving his approval.
The 31-year old spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Barcelona before returning to Manchester City as he eventually joined Al Hilal in a €25m deal.
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Reports from MD, Matteo Moretto and others confirm that all three parties have now reached an agreement. Catalan media add that Flick values Cancelo’s experience, versatility and ability to operate on either flank, especially with a January move for a centre-back proving unfeasible.
La Liga regulations allow clubs hit by a long-term injury to use up to 80% of the injured player’s salary cap space to register a replacement.
According to Moretto, this comes to around €5m in Barcelona’s case, which will be used to cover roughly two-thirds of Cancelo’s €7.5m salary for the second half of the season. The Portuguese defender will be available once Barça return from their Spanish Super Cup commitments in Saudi Arabia.
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