Barcelona receive major Joao Cancelo transfer boost as Al-Hilal make key decision | OneFootball

There are several operations that FC Barcelona are currently working on to resolve this summer. Beyond just the priority that is being given to the Julian Alvarez transfer, the Catalan club is also working on securing a permanent transfer for a certain Portuguese full-back.

After having completed his loan spell at the club following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season, Joao Cancelo will be obligated to report back to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. However, both Barça and the player do not wish to part ways just yet.

Unfortunately, the doubts over the continuity of Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi were complicating matters. With growing uncertainty over who would be leading the club next season, several transfer operations were put on hold to figure that issue out first.

Now, however, SPORT has reported that Inzaghi will indeed be continuing with the club and this spells good news for both Barcelona and Cancelo. With this key decision now made, Barça’s chances of securing a favourable move for Cancelo have been boosted due to various reasons.

Primarily, it is understood that Cancelo and Inzaghi do not necessarily get along too well and the coach would likely not have the player in his plans for next season. In fact, he will likely request the signing of a new full-back and that should help facilitate Joao Cancelo’s potential exit to Barcelona.

Moreover, the report claims that the Portuguese full-back is looking to terminate the final year of his Al-Hilal contract to make his signing even more straightforward for Barça. However, if that is not possible it is expected that the Catalan giants would have to pay some kind of compensation fee to the Saudi Arabian club.

Previously, it was reported that Al-Hilal were even willing to negotiate and lower their asking price for the player. For now, however, Barcelona are waiting for the perfect opportunity to make their move while the player himself remains occupied with Portugal at the FIFA World Cup.