Barcelona President Calls Inter Milan Target Directly In Attempt To Sabotage Move | OneFootball

The race for Joao Cancelo has taken another dramatic turn, with Inter Milan now facing renewed pressure from Barcelona.

According to Sportitalia, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made direct contact with Cancelo in an effort to convince the player to push for a return to Camp Nou.

The move is seen as an attempt to disrupt Inter’s progress, despite the Blaugrana currently prioritising the signing of a central defender rather than a full-back.

Inter Patient As Cancelo Makes Contact With Barcelona

PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 16: Joao Cancelo of Portugal in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Portugal and Armenia at Estadio do Dragao on November 16, 2025 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Inter, for their part, are waiting calmly.

The Nerazzurri remain confident after reaching a verbal understanding with Al-Hilal, the Saudi side keen to resolve Cancelo’s situation after his exclusion from recent squad lists.

Sportitalia report that talks between Inter and Al-Hilal initially opened around the Saudi club’s interest in reinforcing their defence.

Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij were both discussed.

Indeed, prompting Inter to counter by requesting Cancelo as part of the wider negotiations.

Barcelona attempt to shift the balance through direct intervention.

However, Inter believe the structure of the deal, and Al-Hilal’s willingness to cooperate, still places them in a strong position.

The final decision now rests with Cancelo, as the battle between Milan and Barcelona intensifies once again.