La Liga approve Christensen’s long-term injury status, clearing the way for Joao Cancelo | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, La Liga’s Medical Commission has approved Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury status, confirming that the Danish defender will be sidelined for five months.

As a result, Barcelona now have authorisation to use 80% of the defender’s salary margin under Financial Fair Play regulations to sign a replacement.

Pending the official announcement, that replacement will be Joao Cancelo, currently at Al-Hilal.

Christensen suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session at the end of 2025. With an estimated recovery period of five months, Barça immediately began working on finding a suitable alternative.

Given the difficulties of signing a centre-back in the January transfer window, Deco explained that the best market opportunity was the Portuguese full-back.

Cancelo was eager to return to Barcelona, where he previously played during the 2023/24 season. Everything is in order for him to return to the Catalan club, with his signing expected to be formalised next week after the team returns from Saudi Arabia.

Set to return to Barcelona imminently. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

And, with La Liga giving the green light to Christensen’s long-term injury status, Barça will have no issues registering Cancelo once the right-back’s transfer is completed.

The 31-year-old defender will be joining on a simple loan deal with no buy option involved, although the player harbours hopes of staying at Barcelona beyond this season.

Justifying the decision to sign Cancelo instead of a new centre-back, Deco explained:

“We’re getting Ronald back, and the coach has already said that with him we have another centre-back option. Cancelo also means Eric doesn’t have to play at full-back as often, a position he’s frequently been used in.

“And it allows Kounde to move inside at times if needed, giving us solutions we didn’t have before.”

As for Christensen, it is unlikely that he will play again this season as things stand. But, Barcelona have decided to give him a one-year extension, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.