Veteran defender aware of Barcelona interest as club faces crucial decision – Romano | OneFootball

As reported earlier in the morning, FC Barcelona have lodged an enquiry for former defender Joao Cancelo, who is set to leave Al Hilal in January.

The Portuguese right-back spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Barça and has never hidden his love for the club despite spending a short time in Catalonia.

Having fallen out of favour at Al Hilal, Cancelo is set to leave in January, and the Blaugrana asked about his situation with his agent, Jorge Mendes, who has close ties to the club.

Cancelo fully aware of Barcelona interest

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Cancelo is fully aware of the enquiry made by Barcelona in their conversation with Mendes.

In fact, the transfer expert adds that there have been fresh contacts between the two camps in the last 24 hours.

The La Liga champions are in the market for one defensive reinforcement following the long-term injury to Andreas Christensen.

Could Joao Cancelo return to Barcelona? (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

While the focus has been on signing a centre-back, the enquiry for Cancelo suggests that the Barça sporting department are not ruling out any possibility.

As such, Romano states that it is now up to Barcelona to decide whether they pursue a centre-back or a right-back in the upcoming January transfer window.

Signing someone like Cancelo could free up the current starting right-back, Jules Kounde, to play as a centre-back when needed.

Beyond that, it would also free up Eric Garcia from filling in at right-back, allowing him to focus on playing in defence or as a pivot.

There is still nothing concrete at this point beyond an initial enquiry, but Cancelo, who is also wanted by Inter Milan and Juventus, is very much aware of Barcelona’s talks with Mendes.