João Cancelo is on the verge of becoming an FC Barcelona player once again. According to reports, the club has finalized an agreement with Al Hilal for a loan until the end of the season, and the operation now depends solely on the completion of the medical examination in Barcelona.
President Joan Laporta publicly acknowledged the status of the deal on TV3’s Fan Zone, stating, “He arrives and will pass the medical check and if everything goes well he will be with us.”
While the expectation inside the club
was for Cancelo to undergo tests on Friday, Mundo Deportivo reports that the schedule may shift to Saturday or even the early days of next week. The full back remains in Lisbon, waiting for confirmation to travel.
Barcelona have chosen their timing carefully. With the Supercopa de España dominating the agenda, the club has reportedly opted not to formalize the signing until after Sunday’s final against Real Madrid. The announcement is expected once the team returns from Saudi Arabia, with Cancelo’s presentation penciled in for next week.
The agreement with Al Hilal is a so-called “clean” loan, with no options or clauses, and with Barcelona covering only part of Cancelo’s salary through June. The player’s own commitment was said to be decisive, as well. Cancelo turned down alternative offers and accepted a significant pay cut to facilitate his return, which was crucial given Barcelona’s financial constraints.
Barcelona entered January searching for a central defender following Andreas Christensen’s injury, but the winter market offered few affordable solutions. Under current regulations, the club can register a replacement using up to 80 percent of the injured player’s wage. Because of that, Cancelo’s name resurfaced as a realistic option to bolster the defense, despite not being a centerback.
Cancelo can operate on both flanks – as a left-back and right-back – and has already proven his adaptability in Barcelona colors during the 2023-24 season, including extended spells on the left, despite being naturally right sided. That flexibility allows Hansi Flick to adjust the back line, with Jules Koundé and Eric García among those who could be redeployed centrally when required.
There is little commitment beyond June. Al Hilal view the loan as an opportunity for Cancelo to regain visibility in European competition and potentially increase his value. Barcelona, meanwhile, will assess his impact over the coming months before opening any talks about his continuity.
If the medical check is completed without issues, Cancelo is expected to take the number 2 shirt for the remainder of the campaign.
