Joao Cancelo set to leave Al-Hilal as Barcelona make contact | OneFootball

Portuguese international Joao Cancelo is preparing to bring his Saudi Arabian chapter to an early close as his situation at Al Hilal reaches a definitive turning point.

What was meant to be a fresh start in the Middle East has instead become a season of complete inactivity. A hamstring injury suffered early in the campaign sidelined Cancelo for several months, and upon his return, he found the door firmly shut.

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has opted to continue with the same group of registered foreign players from the first half of the season, leaving no space for the former Manchester City defender. As a result, Cancelo has played only 175 minutes in the Saudi Pro League this season and will leave the club in January despite being under contract until June 2027.

For a player who thrives on involvement and rhythm, stagnation is perhaps the worst possible outcome, and as weeks pass, the need for clarity becomes more urgent. That clarity may lie in a return to familiar ground.

According to Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto (via SPORT), the decision is now final. Cancelo will depart Al Hilal during the winter window and has already begun exploring his next move with his representatives.

FC Barcelona have emerged as a concrete option after making contact with the player’s entourage in recent hours to assess the feasibility of a return to Camp Nou.

At 31, Joao Cancelo is eager to resume regular football at the highest level, and his priority is a return to Europe. Serie A clubs are also closely monitoring the situation, with Inter Milan currently leading the race while Juventus are exploring the possibility of a loan deal.

Still, La Liga remains the player’s preferred destination both professionally and personally, and Barcelona continue to hold a special place in his thinking.

Barça’s renewed interest is not coincidental. The Catalan club is actively scanning the market for defensive reinforcements following Andreas Christensen’s diagnosis of a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee.

The Danish defender is expected to be sidelined for around four months, which qualifies as a long-term injury and allows Barcelona to use up to 40% of his salary margin to register a new player in January.

The sporting department is prioritising a loan signing with immediate impact rather than a short-term stopgap solution. The idea is to replicate a formula similar to past high-profile loan moves rather than repeat low-impact deals from previous winter windows. In this context, Cancelo’s profile has gained traction due to his versatility, experience, and familiarity with the club.

His return would offer multiple tactical benefits. Jules Kounde would gain relief at right back and could be redeployed centrally, while Eric Garcia would be freed to operate in his natural positions either in central defence or midfield.

Although the initial January plan focused on adding a centre back, the Joao Cancelo option is increasingly appealing because of the flexibility it would provide across the defensive line, provided a workable financial agreement can be reached.

The situation is also influenced by Ronald Araujo’s status. The Uruguayan defender recently returned to training after a period away from football to recover mentally and could feature against Espanyol this weekend. His availability may shape the final decision, but it does not rule out further reinforcements.

Cancelo’s connection to Barcelona has never faded. He has openly spoken about continuing to follow the club and has been seen on several occasions wearing Barça gear, including last season’s black away kit, even during his time at Al Hilal.

(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

His previous loan spell during the 2023-24 season left a lasting impression despite a dip in form toward the end. Under Xavi Hernández, he featured heavily across both flanks, logging over 3,318 minutes in 42 appearances while contributing 4 goals and 5 assists.

For Cancelo, the objective is clear. He wants minutes, rhythm, and relevance ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Barcelona, for their part, are weighing opportunity against financial reality. The interest is real, the contact has been made, and the door is now open. Whether the Cancelo route leads back to Camp Nou will depend on timing, economics, and the club’s evolving needs in a complex January market.