Veteran defender’s Barcelona transfer now only a ‘matter of days’ | OneFootball

Barcelona appear to be approaching the end of their wait for Joao Cancelo.

For weeks, the Portuguese defender’s future has been tied to one unresolved issue: his departure from Al Hilal. 

Now, according to Matteo Moretto via MARCA, there is growing confidence that Cancelo could be back in Barcelona in a matter of days, with sources in Saudi Arabia expecting him to travel next week to complete his move.

The player himself has done little to calm the speculation. After previously sharing an image of himself in a Barcelona shirt, Cancelo has posted another such photograph on Instagram, this time accompanied by an hourglass.

The message is hardly subtle.

But while the social media hints suggest that Cancelo sees his Barcelona return as close, one piece of business still needs to be completed. 

His contract situation with Al Hilal must first be resolved. Once that happens, Barcelona expect to have one of Hansi Flick’s preferred defensive options back at the club.

Cancelo waiting for the final green light

Joao Cancelo has posted a picture in a Barcelona shirt. (Source: Instagram)

It is known that Cancelo wishes to play for Barcelona, and the latest indications point towards the defender preparing for another spell in Catalonia. 

The remaining question is the manner of his exit from Al Hilal.

Cancelo is working towards terminating his contract with the Saudi Arabian side, and if an agreement is reached, his move to Barcelona could accelerate quickly.

There is still some uncertainty over the financial structure of the operation. 

Earlier reports suggested Barcelona could pay between €10 million and €15 million for the Portuguese international, while more recent speculation from Saudi Arabia has raised the possibility of him arriving without a transfer fee.

That distinction remains important for Barcelona, but it does not appear to have changed the club’s desire to bring Cancelo back.

From Flick’s perspective, the priority is getting the player into the squad, as he knows what Cancelo can offer. 

Joao Cancelo wants to play for Barcelona. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

His ability to operate on either side of the defence gives Flick tactical flexibility, while his comfort in possession makes him a natural fit for a team that expects its full-backs to contribute well beyond their defensive duties.

Why Flick pushed for Cancelo’s return

Cancelo’s potential return is not simply about adding another experienced defender to the group.

His profile addresses a specific need in Flick’s squad.

Following Ronald Araújo’s departure, Barcelona have looked to alter their defensive options, and Cancelo’s versatility makes him particularly useful. 

He can play at right-back, cover the left side and adapt to different roles depending on the opponent or tactical setup.

That flexibility is likely to be one of the main reasons Flick has pushed for the deal.