Cancelo poised for third Barcelona spell as Al-Hilal deal nears completion

Joao Cancelo has returned to training with Al-Hilal while negotiations over a permanent move back to Barcelona continue, with the Catalan club and the Portugal defender confident that the transfer will be completed this week.

The discussions between Barcelona and the Saudi Arabian club have not yet reached a final agreement, but the deal is considered close. The remaining delay is understood to involve tax-related details rather than any major obstacle to the transfer.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Barcelona are convinced Cancelo will return to Spotify Camp Nou on a permanent contract. The club have been in talks with Al-Hilal for several weeks and believe the outstanding matters can be resolved soon, despite the process taking longer than originally expected.

Cancelo, 32, joined Al-Hilal’s training camp last Friday because the delay over his return to Barcelona had not been resolved. The Portuguese international did so against his wishes, with his preference remaining clear: he wants to play for Barcelona under manager Hansi Flick.

The defender has made no secret of his attachment to the Catalan club. In recent hours, he again indicated that his thoughts are focused on returning to Barcelona, which he regards as his home and whose dressing room he considers his family.

Cancelo reinforced that message on social media by posting a photograph of himself celebrating a goal in a Barcelona shirt. The image was seen as another expression of his firm desire to continue his career with the club.

His stance has been welcomed and praised by Barcelona officials, who are also working towards completing the transfer during the current week. The club’s plan is for Cancelo to begin a third spell at Spotify Camp Nou, this time as a permanent signing rather than a loanee.

Cancelo previously played for Barcelona on loan from Manchester City during the 2023-24 season. He then spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Al-Hilal. If the current negotiations are concluded, his next move will take him back to Barcelona on a permanent basis.

For now, he remains with Al-Hilal as the clubs work through the final tax details. Barcelona’s confidence in the transfer and Cancelo’s repeated public indication of where he wants to play have kept the proposed return on course, although the final agreement has still to be signed.