Barcelona close to permanent Joao Cancelo deal with Al Hilal

Barcelona are close to completing a permanent deal for Joao Cancelo, with the club hoping to finalise the move in the coming days.

The Portugal international, who is currently with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, is expected to sign a two-year contract. Barcelona want the agreement completed quickly so Cancelo can join their training programme as soon as possible.

According to Catalan newspaper Sport, the transfer would cost Barcelona about 10m euros. The deal is now considered close to completion because Al Hilal do not include Cancelo in their plans for next season.

Barcelona have already reached an agreement with the player over his salary. That understanding has been in place since the end of last season, although tax-related issues delayed the conclusion of the transfer.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick considers Cancelo an important addition to his squad. The defender impressed during his previous spells with the club, particularly because of his ability to operate in more than one position and his attacking contribution.

Cancelo has played for Barcelona on two occasions. His first spell came during the 2023-24 season, when he made 42 appearances, scored four goals and provided five assists.

He returned to the club in January during the season that has just ended. On that occasion, he played 23 matches, scored twice and created four goals for team-mates.

Across those two periods, Cancelo helped Barcelona win La Liga once.

The proposed permanent move would bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding his future at Al Hilal, where he is not part of the club’s plans for the next campaign. For Barcelona, the priority is to complete the remaining details and make the versatile defender available to Flick’s squad without further delay.

Cancelo’s capacity to play in different positions has been central to Barcelona’s interest. His previous performances for the club also mean that Flick is familiar with the qualities he could bring to the team.

The agreement on personal terms has already removed one of the principal elements of the transfer, but the tax complications have prevented the deal from being completed earlier. With those details now close to resolution, Barcelona are hopeful that Cancelo’s return can be confirmed within the next few days.

The report was published on Sunday, 2 August 2026.