Explained: Why Barcelona deleted Joao Cancelo transfer posts minutes after the announcement | OneFootball

Barcelona briefly confirmed Joao Cancelo’s return on loan from Al-Hilal on Tuesday, only to remove the posts soon after, leaving fans puzzled.

Mundo Deportivo reports that the posts were pulled because the final paperwork had not yet been exchanged, with an agreement in place and the player in Barcelona but the International Transfer Certificate and Al-Hilal’s final sign-off still pending.

International deals must be aligned between the Spanish federation and the Saudi Arabian federation in FIFA’s Transfer Matching System before a player can be registered, so the club paused the announcement to comply with regulations.

Despite the online U-turn, Cancelo attended a signing ceremony at the club’s offices on Tuesday, accompanied by family and president Joan Laporta.

During the brief announcement, it was also revealed that Cancelo will wear the number 2 shirt, the same as in 2023-24, after Pau Cubarsí moved to number 5 following Inigo Martínez’s summer departure.

The move is a straight loan until the end of the season. The full-back returns to familiar surroundings after 42 matches in his last spell, scoring four goals and providing five assists, so his adaptation should be minimal once registration is completed.

Source: Goal.com