Joao Cancelo may have to make two sacrifices to join Barcelona as €15m hurdle remains | OneFootball

FC Barcelona strengthened their squad in the winter transfer window by bringing in Joao Cancelo on loan from Al-Hilal for the remainder of the season, and the Portuguese defender is already making a strong case to stay beyond the summer.

Recent performances have put the spotlight back on his future, with the fullback rediscovering form and importance after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia. His growing influence on the pitch has naturally reignited discussions around a possible long-term stay at the Catalan club.

In fact, Cancelo himself has already made his intentions clear and wants to continue at Barcelona, prioritising a permanent return to European football despite being under contract with Al Hilal until 2027.

His agent Jorge Mendes is already working on potential formulas to secure his continuity, with the player prepared to play an active role in facilitating the move. Cancelo is even willing to make a significant financial sacrifice by lowering his salary, which is a crucial factor given Barcelona’s ongoing financial fair play limitations.

Barcelona have made it clear that any permanent move for Cancelo must come at zero cost, a condition that Al Hilal are currently reluctant to accept as they continue to demand a fee of around €15 million.

However, according to SPORT, there remains a possible compromise. The Saudi side could soften their stance if Cancelo agrees to waive the remaining year of his contract, effectively easing the financial burden.

At the same time, Barcelona want any new deal to fit within their revised wage structure, making the player’s willingness to reduce his salary even more decisive.

The coming months are expected to be decisive, with negotiations likely to depend heavily on the player’s willingness to make further sacrifices. For now, Cancelo’s stance remains firm as he is determined to continue wearing the Barcelona shirt.