Report – Al-Hilal Superstar Must Take Substantial Pay Cut To Return To Serie A Amid Inter Milan Interest | OneFootball

Joao Cancelo is flirting with several top European clubs, including Inter Milan, as he aims to leave Al-Hilal in January.

According to Sport Mediaset via FCInter1908, there remains one major stumbling block.

Signed from Manchester City in 2024, Joao Cancelo penned a multi-year contract in Riyadh, committing his future to Al-Hilal until 2027.

However, the 31-year-old is desperate to cut short his relatively brief stint in Saudi Arabia and return to Europe.

Meanwhile, several European sides would be glad to offer him an escape route from the Middle East.

Joao Cancelo Must Take Pay Cut to Join Inter Milan

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Cancelo has fallen out of favor with new manager Simone Inzaghi and his coaching staff.

Therefore, he has urged his agent, Jorge Mendes, to facilitate his exit in January.

Despite making contact with Mendes, Inter cannot afford to match Cancelo’s whopping €15.5 million annual wages.

As such, the player must agree to a substantial pay cut to secure his return to San Siro.

Whether he’d be willing to accept such a reduction remains the key question in negotiations with the Nerazzurri.