La Liga
The signing of Joao Cancelo by FC Barcelona is starting to become more complicated than expected. The Portuguese full-back wants to wear the blaugrana shirt and is doing everything possible to facilitate the operation, but the agreement with Al Hilal is still pending, according to the latest rumors from the Barça transfer market.
The Saudi club is not making things easy, and negotiations are proceeding with more difficulties than anticipated. Nevertheless, all parties keep the agreement option open and will continue working to try to close the deal before the transfer market ends.
FC Barcelona Doesn't Give Up on Joao Cancelo: Still No Agreement with Al Hilal
FC Barcelona has been searching for a solution for the full-back for a while, and Joao Cancelo remains one of the players highly favored within the club.
His profile aligns perfectly with what the team needs: experience, quality in ball distribution, offensive capabilities, and the personality to take on an important role from day one.
The issue is not with the player's willingness. Joao Cancelo wants to return to FC Barcelona, and that stance works in favor of the Catalan club.
The Portuguese is already familiar with the environment, knows what it means to compete wearing the blaugrana jersey, and would be willing to contribute to making the move happen. The challenge lies in negotiations with Al Hilal, which is reluctant to accept any terms.
The Saudi team holds the cards, requiring FC Barcelona to proceed with patience.
The Catalan entity is not in an easy financial scenario and needs to find a feasible deal, whether through a loan, a negotiated purchase, or a mixed formula that does not escalate immediate costs. This is where discussions get tangled.
Al Hilal is aware that Joao Cancelo is in demand and is unwilling to allow an exit without favorable conditions.
For FC Barcelona, this stance presents a significant obstacle, as the blaugrana club cannot compete with disproportionate figures or jeopardize its margin for other operations. The priority is to strengthen the squad without losing financial control.
The situation compels all parties to seek a middle ground. Joao Cancelo pushes from his end, FC Barcelona insists on finding a viable path, and Al Hilal maintains a firm position to protect its interests.
Currently, the deal is not broken, but it is also not deemed on track.
Time is becoming crucial. As the end of the market approaches, each day weighs heavily on the negotiation.
FC Barcelona needs certainty to plan its squad, and Joao Cancelo wants to resolve his future as soon as possible. If Al Hilal does not lower its demands or accept a more comfortable structure for the Catalans, the operation could extend until the final days.
The key asset for FC Barcelona remains Joao Cancelo's willingness. The full-back is convinced that returning to the blaugrana club is his best destination, a desire that could prove decisive.
In many transfer operations, the player's stance ultimately sets the pace, especially when the player is clear about where they want to play.
For Barça, his arrival would make a lot of sense from a sporting perspective. Joao Cancelo would bring depth, technical quality, and a significant offensive option from the full-back position.
His ability to play inside, link up with midfielders, and break lines makes him a very useful player for a team that requires constant solutions against packed defenses.
Yet, the signing remains up in the air. FC Barcelona remains hopeful, Joao Cancelo keeps pushing, and Al Hilal holds a demanding position. The operation enters a delicate phase, with room for agreement, but also a genuine risk of deadlock.
The outcome will depend on the clubs' ability to bridge their differences before the market closes. Joao Cancelo wants to wear the blaugrana shirt, FC Barcelona wants him in their squad, and all sides will continue negotiating. The desire exists, but now comes the hardest part: turning that desire into a real agreement.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Problemas con el fichaje de Joao Cancelo
