‘It’s for love‘ — Barcelona loanee says he would accept pay cut to play for Benfica again | OneFootball

FC Barcelona strengthened their defense during the last winter transfer window by bringing in the fullback Joao Cancelo on loan from the Saudi side Al-Hilal.

He has performed quite well with the Blaugrana team thus far, and the Catalan side is keen to keep him beyond the summer, but negotiations remain complicated. Al-Hilal have reportedly set a €15 million price tag for the defender, while Barcelona are exploring ways to retain him without paying a transfer fee.

At the same time, the club is also assessing alternative options in case an agreement cannot be reached.

Cancelo himself reportedly wants to continue at FC Barcelona, where he remains an important part of the squad. However, his long-term future may not necessarily lie in Catalonia.

In a recent interview with Canal 11, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Portuguese international opened the door to an emotional return to SL Benfica, the club where he developed as a player and which he has often described as the team of his life.

This is not the first time the fullback has spoken about his affection for SL Benfica, and his latest comments once again highlight that a return remains a genuine possibility in the future.

For now, though, Barcelona remain satisfied with his performances and believe he still has the quality to compete at the highest level.

Whether his public admiration for Benfica has any impact on the club’s decision-making remains to be seen, especially as the Blaugranes continue to balance financial constraints with squad planning ahead of the summer.