Cancelo set to rejoin Al Hilal camp as club open to permanent sale amid Barcelona interest

Joao Cancelo will report back to Al Hilal’s pre-season training camp in Austria on Wednesday, with the Saudi Pro League side prepared to listen to offers for the Portugal full-back, according to reports in Spain and Saudi Arabia.

The 30-year-old is due to link up with the squad following the end of his post-World Cup 2026 holiday, Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah has reported.

Al Hilal’s hierarchy are understood not to be opposed to a permanent transfer and are willing to sell Cancelo, who has one year remaining on his current deal, provided a suitable bid arrives and the player’s desire to leave is respected.

Cancelo joined Al Hilal from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 on a contract running until 30 June 2027. He went on to play 45 matches in all competitions for the Riyadh club, scoring three goals and providing 14 assists, before leaving on loan in the second half of last season.

He spent that spell at Barcelona, where he made 23 appearances, scoring twice and setting up three goals.

Barcelona pushing for cut-price deal

Spanish newspaper Sport has reported that Al Hilal will not allow Cancelo to join Barcelona for a “low” fee, despite head coach Simone Inzaghi not counting on the defender as a key part of his plans.

Cancelo played for Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal last season and the Catalan club are keen to keep him, but Sport says they are hoping to complete a permanent deal for less than €10m. However, no formal offer has yet been submitted.

The same report states that Cancelo is expected to return to Al Hilal once his post-World Cup break ends, in line with Arriyadiyah’s indication that he will join up with the Austrian training camp on Wednesday.

Player keen on Barca stay

A separate report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, published in recent days, claimed that Cancelo wants to return to Barcelona on a permanent basis after finishing his international duty with Portugal at the World Cup.

That stance comes despite his existing contract with Al Hilal, which runs until June 2027.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have already reached an agreement in principle with Cancelo on a two-year contract. Negotiations are now focused on finding common ground with Al Hilal over the transfer fee.

The Saudi club are said to have reduced their asking price from €15m to around €10m including add-ons, in an attempt to facilitate a deal. The report adds that Barcelona’s hierarchy remain calm and confident that the transfer will be completed during the summer window.

Cancelo’s record and career path

Across his two spells at Barcelona – the 2023-24 season and the second half of last season – Cancelo has made 65 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing nine assists.

Before moving to Al Hilal in 2024, the Portugal international established himself at some of Europe’s leading clubs. He previously represented Benfica, Inter, Juventus, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

For now, Cancelo is set to rejoin Al Hilal’s preparations for the new campaign in Austria, with his future likely to be decided as negotiations with Barcelona continue.