Barcelona ‘to urge’ Joao Cancelo to negotiate contract termination amid Al-Hilal obstacles | OneFootball

Barcelona are pushing to keep Joao Cancelo beyond his current loan, but Al-Hilal’s finances remain a major obstacle. Marca reports that their preferred route is to urge the full-back to negotiate a contract termination to enable a permanent stay.

The defender impressed after returning in January. With only one year left on his Al-Hilal deal, another loan is off the table unless he extends in Saudi Arabia, an option that currently does not appeal to him.

A termination would make Cancelo a free agent, sparing Barcelona a transfer fee. It would also require him to forfeit the remaining value of his lucrative salary in the Middle East, a far larger sacrifice than the reduced wage he accepted to rejoin.

Al-Hilal paid €25 million to sign him from Manchester City in 2024. They will still have roughly €8 million to amortise by summer 2026 and are expected to demand at least that to sanction a sale. Barcelona are hesitant to spend that on a player who will be 32 before next season.

Sporting director Deco has championed Cancelo’s place, highlighting his strong emotional bond with the club. Hansi Flick previously wanted to retain him after his initial City loan but finances blocked it, and he now stresses the full-back’s versatility and attacking quality in the final third.

The outcome hinges on whether Cancelo prioritises his European career over a Saudi payday. If he cannot sever ties with his parent club, Barcelona may look elsewhere. For now, he will aim to aid a Liga push, with Barca four points clear of Real Madrid and in the Champions League.

Source: Goal.com