Benfica ‘considered’ João Cancelo but wages make return unlikely | OneFootball

Mundo Deportivo reports that Benfica considered signing João Cancelo, but a return to the Estádio da Luz is described as highly unlikely due to his salary demands.

The right-back is currently on loan from Al Hilal to Barcelona, and the Catalan club want to secure him on a permanent basis.

Salary is the main obstacle. Cancelo earns almost six million euros for the second half of the season at Barcelona. Benfica could only cover that amount, in gross terms, across a whole season, so a deal is viewed as unviable.

It is also hard for Benfica to compete with clubs following the player and able to offer more attractive terms.

This season for Barcelona, Cancelo, valued at nine million euros, has made 16 appearances, nine in La Liga, four in the Champions League and three in the Copa del Rey. He has played 1,031 minutes, scoring once and providing three assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904