Barcelona strike loan deal to sign Al-Hilal full-back Joao Cancelo | OneFootball

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal to sign Joao Cancelo on loan for the rest of the season (h/t journalist Fabrizio Romano).

Despite Inter Milan’s pre-agreement with the Saudi Pro League giants for Cancelo, Barcelona have won the race to sign him.

Barca manager Hansi Flick was initially planning to sign a centre-back due to Andreas Christensen’s knee injury, but a lack of affordable targets prompted him to give the green light for Cancelo’s transfer.

The former Manchester City star wanted to leave Al-Hilal after a breakdown in the relationship with manager Simone Inzaghi, who excluded him from the squad for the first half of the season.

Cancelo has agreed to take a significant pay cut to facilitate his return to Barca, who will cover €5 million of his salary. The Catalan giants will also pay a €4 million loan fee to the Saudi club.

Barca will register Cancelo using Christensen’s salary cap space.

Jules Kounde has been Flick’s primary right-back option, and Cancelo’s arrival could push him to the centre-back role.

Having previously spent a season on loan at Camp Nou during Xavi’s reign, Cancelo should quickly adapt to Barca’s style of play.

The 31-year-old will be an upgrade over Kounde as an attacking full-back due to his technical quality, relentless pace, ability to build from the back, playmaking, and ball progression.

With the versatility to thrive in left-back and midfield roles and the ability to break down low blocks, the Portuguese star will be a key tactical weapon for Barcelona.