Barcelona the final obstacle for Inter as Cancelo frozen out at Al-Hilal | OneFootball

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Barcelona are the ‘only obstacle’ standing between Inter and Joao Cancelo, although the Nerazzurri are increasingly confident of signing the Portuguese defender this month.

Inter are reportedly close to securing the services of Portuguese full-back Cancelo, who has been omitted from Al-Hilal’s squad lists for both the domestic league and the AFC Champions League.

Latest Cancelo transfer updates

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)

The ex-Inter and Juventus defender had a fallout with coach Simone Inzaghi, so he’ll surely leave Al-Hilal this month.

Al-Hilal are ready to pay most of Cancelo’s salary during his loan spell in the second part of the campaign, but according to Gazzetta, Sport Mediaset and Fabrizio Romano, either Francesco Acerbi or Stefan de Vrij could be involved in the deal between the two clubs.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 30: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of Al Hilal, gives the team instructions during a hydration break during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Inter are confident Al-Hilal will return the favour after the Nerazzurri allowed Inzaghi to join the Saudi club last summer, despite the coach still having a year remaining on his contract at San Siro.

According to Gazzetta, Barcelona remain the only obstacle for Inter, but the Catalans seem to have different priorities now, so the Serie A giants hope they can wrap up a deal in the coming days.