Joao Cancelo complicates matters for Barcelona

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15/08/26 19:30:00

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Joao Cancelo, a 32-year-old Portuguese full-back, did not show up for the Al-Hilal concentration in Austria on July 29 as he negotiates his transfer to FC Barcelona. The Saudi club is considering sanctioning him because he is under contract until 2027 and the sale has not been finalized yet.

The player remained in Portugal after consulting the decision with his agent, Jorge Mendes, who is handling the negotiations between the parties. Barça has reached an agreement with Cancelo for a two-season contract and aims to close the transfer for less than 10 million euros.

Al-Hilal Considers Fining Joao Cancelo

Cancelo was supposed to join the preseason after his vacation following Portugal’s participation in the World Cup. However, the full-back did not travel to Austria and continued training separately from the team with a personal trainer.

The Al-Hilal believes that the Portuguese player is still bound by the club's discipline until a definitive agreement with Barça is reached. Therefore, the club is considering imposing a fine for not complying with the call-up set for July 29.

His absence contrasts with the behavior of other players who may also leave the Saudi team. Darwin Núñez, also among the potential departures, did attend the concentration to continue training while his future awaits resolution.

Mendes tried to prevent Cancelo from having to join for a few days before returning to Spain. All parties are negotiating an exit, but this expectation does not waive the defender’s contractual obligations until the deal is finalized.

The club's reaction could escalate tension during the final stages of negotiations. Al-Hilal still needs to resolve the player's last year of salary and aims to receive compensation before authorizing his definitive return to LaLiga.

FC Barcelona Maintains Agreement with Cancelo

The FC Barcelona believes that the transfer is proceeding as scheduled. Documentation could not be completed before August due to tax issues related to the departure from Saudi Arabia, so the club does not see the delay as a breakdown in negotiations.

The primary pending issue is the economic impact of Cancelo's last year of contract. The full-back earns a higher salary than what Barça can offer, and he has agreed to forgo a portion of those earnings to facilitate his return.

The club aims to pay less than 10 million euros for the transfer. The player, on his part, has already agreed to a two-season arrangement, a term that allows adjusting his wage to the salary planning.

Flick Wants Him Back at Barcelona

Hansi Flick has requested his continuity after coaching him during the six-month loan spell of the previous season. Cancelo played 23 matches, scored two goals, and provided three assists during that period.

The coach mainly deployed him at left-back, surpassing Alejandro Balde in several games. His ability to play on both flanks also allows the coaching staff to adjust the defense without incorporating two different specialists.

Barcelona believes it can accommodate his salary to compete in LaLiga. The reduction accepted by the player and the low sum expected for the transfer place the operation within the economic margins managed by the sports management.

Now, the parties must deal with the consequences of the absence in Austria and finalize the economic agreement during August. Joao Cancelo maintains returning to Barça as a top priority, but Al-Hilal may condition the signature until resolving the possible sanction and the corresponding payment for his last year of contract.

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