Barcelona Receives Green Light From Al-Hilal To Sign Joao Cancelo

BusinessSportsMoneyBarcelona Receives Green Light From Al-Hilal To Sign Joao CanceloByTom Sanderson,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019.Follow AuthorJun 02, 2026, 10:20am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.FC Barcelona have effectively received the green light from Al-Hilal to sign its full back Joao Cancelo, as explained by Mundo Deportivo.NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFC Barcelona have effectively received the green light from Al-Hilal to sign its full back Joao Cancelo, as explained by Mundo Deportivo.Cancelo is wrapping up a second loan assignment at the Spotify Camp Nou, which has proven a roaring success.Any Culer that told you they weren’t concerned when hearing that the Portuguese was returning to Catalonia at the end of January might be stretching the truth.That’s mainly down to his chaotic first tenure under Xavi Hernandez during the trophyless 2023/2024 campaign which ended with the Catalan being dismissed.Under Xavi’s successor Flick, however, Cancelo was transformed from a “loos cannon” into a safe pair of hands that has proven adept at covering either left or right back while dislodging La Masia product Alejandro Balde from the first team.Like Marcus Rashford, though, his temporary agreement expires on June 30 and other plans need to be made.And while previously there were reports of Al-Hilal possibly making a permanent transfer difficult as head coach Simeone Inzaghi could want him for next season, that doesn’t seem to be the case now.MORE FOR YOUFC Barcelona now have a free run at CanceloMundo Deportivo reports that Al-Hilal see Cancelo’s permanent departure from their squad, which he joined from Manchester City in 2024, as “inevitable”.Cancelo’s relationship with Inzaghi isn’t good and he doesn’t want to return to Saudi Arabia either.Yet more importantly...