Original Article from Global Goal Post
Barcelona Reach Agreement for João Cancelo
FC Barcelona and Al Hilal reached an agreement in principle for Joao Cancelo's permanent move from Barcelona ahead of next season, as per Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona have already agreed to personal terms with the Portuguese fullback regarding a 2-year contract with an option to extend for another year, and the Catalan club was negotiating with Al Hilal to reduce their asking price of €15 million.
Player will Join After World Cup
Cancelo is set to join Barcelona for €10 million after his 3-week vacation following the elimination of Portugal in the round of 16 of the World Cup. He is one of the priority targets approved by Hansi Flick, along with Julian Alvarez, for the summer after his impressive display as a loanee in the second half of the 2025-26 season. He had a loan spell with Barca back in the 2023-24 season, but it didn’t become a permanent deal due to the demands of Manchester City.
Then the player joined Al Hilal, but he fell out of Simone Inzaghi's plans at Al Hilal, followed by his move to Barcelona on loan, and now an agreement is in place for a permanent deal.
Why Flick Wanted Cancelo Back
Barca brought in Joao Cancelo in the winter transfer window due to recurring fitness concerns and inconsistent performance in the fullback department and delivered consistent performance in the left-back position with 4 goal contributions in 16 La Liga games for the Catalan giants.
Cancelo Fits Flick's Tactical System
Flick values Cancelo's ability to play on either flank, invert into midfield, create overloads, and provide width in possession. His technical quality and crossing make him a perfect fit for Barcelona's positional play.
Final Details Remain
Cancelo insisted that he doesn't want to negotiate during the World Cup, but Portugal's early elimination has allowed the clubs to proceed. Only small details are missing, but bureaucratic procedures for Arab clubs are not usually quick.
