Portuguese full-back stalls talks with Inter as he waits desperately for Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona’s pull in the transfer market remains powerful, and few cases underline that better than the situation surrounding Joao Cancelo. 

According to a recent report from SPORT, the Portuguese full-back is so determined to return to Camp Nou that he has deliberately slowed down negotiations with Inter Milan, choosing instead to wait for a call from Barcelona.

It is known that Cancelot is certain to leave Al-Hilal, and at present, Barcelona and Inter Milan are the two main clubs in the race. 

Despite that, though, the operation is far from straightforward and depends on several moving parts.

Everything depends on Barcelona

Sources close to the player insist that Cancelo’s future is entirely tied to Barcelona’s decision. 

The defender is reportedly eager to wear the Blaugrana shirt again and, because of that desire, has chosen not to rush into an agreement with Inter. 

Inter, for their part, are keen to strengthen their defensive options and remain in constant dialogue with Al-Hilal and Cancelo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, who is in daily contact with all parties involved. 

Cancelo wants to return to Barcelona. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

However, the biggest obstacle for Barcelona is financial. Cancelo currently earns close to €15 million net per season, a figure that sits uncomfortably with the club’s current economic reality.

To ease the situation, Al-Hilal have shown a willingness to cover roughly half of the salary until the end of the season. 

Even so, the numbers remain demanding. Paying around €7.5 million for half a campaign for a 31-year-old full-back is not a simple decision, even with external help. 

Despite these difficulties, Cancelo remains convinced that a return to Barcelona is still possible and has shared that belief with those closest to him.

There have already been contacts between the player and Barcelona, but no final decision has been made or communicated. 

What is clear is that this situation will not drag on indefinitely. 

Cancelo is ready to wait for Barça, yet his salary continues to be the key factor complicating a move that, from a sporting perspective, both sides would welcome.