Barcelona Agree Six-Month Joao Cancelo Loan From Al Hilal After Coach Confirms Exit

Overview

• The clubs have agreed a loan to 30 June with no purchase option, with Barcelona set to cover roughly €5 million of Cancelo’s wages and an announcement expected soon.
• Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi said Cancelo is not in his plans and that the club is working on his future, reinforcing that a move is imminent.
• Cancelo wants to remain at Barcelona beyond the loan and is prepared to sacrifice salary, though he is under contract with Al Hilal until 2027.
• Reports indicate Al Hilal have proposed a €100 million package for Raphinha during talks, a move that could influence whether they release Cancelo longer term.
• Hansi Flick approved the deal for defensive depth, with Cancelo able to cover both full-back roles, and Barcelona are not expected to add a specialist centre-back this month.