Barcelona move closer to Joao Cancelo return after agreement with Al Hilal

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Al Hilal to sign Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo permanently, with the transfer fee expected to be close to €10m.

The deal was concluded after several weeks of activity surrounding the player and would see Cancelo return to the Catalan club, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

According to Spanish journalist Juan Jesus, Barcelona and Al Hilal have settled the main terms of the transfer. Cancelo is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Spanish club, although the move remains subject to the completion of the formal process and the player putting pen to paper.

The agreement represents a significant step towards making Cancelo’s return permanent. Barcelona are understood to have identified the Portugal international as a direct target to strengthen their right-back position before the new season begins.

Talks accelerated considerably in the past few hours, with Barcelona sporting director Deco taking action to bring the negotiations to a conclusion. His involvement helped the club move closer to securing the player’s return after the two sides reached agreement over a fee approaching €10m.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was also central to the move. The German manager made a direct request for Cancelo’s immediate return, having been impressed by the qualities the full-back can offer in a position where experience and attacking ability are regarded as important.

Cancelo joined Al Hilal from Manchester City during the summer of 2024. However, he was unable to adapt successfully to football in Saudi Arabia and subsequently left the club on loan for Barcelona during the winter transfer window.

His return to Barcelona would therefore complete a quick change in circumstances for the Portuguese defender. After moving permanently to Al Hilal, Cancelo spent the following months away from the Saudi club and now has the opportunity to continue with Barcelona under Flick.

The proposed two-year contract would give Barcelona a permanent solution at right-back, while also fulfilling Flick’s request for a player capable of contributing in attack as well as providing defensive experience.

For Al Hilal, the agreement would bring an end to Cancelo’s time at the club after his failure to settle in Saudi Arabia. For Barcelona, it would secure the continued presence of a player they already know and who has now been specifically requested by their manager.

The transfer fee, which is expected to be close to €10m, remains the key financial detail disclosed in the agreement. Once the contract is signed, Cancelo will formally rejoin Barcelona on a permanent basis after his earlier loan spell.

No further details of the agreement have been disclosed, but the rapid progress of the negotiations in recent hours has left the deal close to completion.