Recent Spanish press reports have revealed serious moves by the management of FC Barcelona to draw up a well-thought-out plan aimed at signing Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo permanently from Al-Hilal FC of Saudi Arabia during the upcoming summer transfer window.
These moves come as the Catalan club seeks to strengthen its ranks with experienced and technically skilled players. Barcelona had previously signed Cancelo in the last winter transfer window on a six-month loan deal, in which Al-Hilal club covered part of the player’s salary, which facilitated the completion of the process at the time.
Barcelona's main condition for completing the deal
According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, which is close to the club, Barcelona's sporting management has reached a preliminary agreement with João Cancelo and his agents for him to remain with the Blaugrana. However, this agreement is contingent on two key conditions: first, the player must deliver convincing and satisfactory performances on the pitch, and second, specific financial terms must be met in line with the club's financial situation.
The report explained that the biggest obstacle lies in Barcelona's condition that Cancelo must first terminate his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal before the Spanish club can sign him on a free transfer or for a very low fee. This move is considered a strategy by Barcelona to circumvent the current crisis of inflated full-back prices in the global market and an attempt to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, which impose strict limits on the club's budget.
The tactical and economic importance of the deal
João Cancelo is one of the world's best full-backs thanks to his exceptional ability to play equally well on both the right and left flanks, in addition to his effective attacking contributions, playmaking skills, and ability to drop deep into midfield as an additional midfielder. This tactical versatility makes him a key player any coach would look for to strengthen their system, especially at a possession-based, attacking club like Barcelona.
Economically, the Catalan club has been struggling financially for some time, leading them to focus their signings on players whose contracts are expiring or who are available on loan. Therefore, attempting to acquire a player of Cancelo's caliber without paying a hefty transfer fee to Al-Hilal would be a masterstroke for the management, but it will require a significant effort from the player to convince his current club to release him.
Cancelo's contract with Al-Hilal and his market value
Portuguese star João Cancelo is under a long-term contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal, extending until June 30, 2027, which strengthens the Saudi club's position in any potential negotiations. According to Transfermarkt, a global website specializing in football economics, the player's current market value is estimated at around €10 million. The question remains: will Al-Hilal agree to release their player for free or through a financial settlement, or will they uphold their contractual rights until the end? The coming days will reveal more details about this complex issue.
