Cancelo's arrival would close Barça's market, with the exception of the 'Ter Stegen case'

FC Barcelona will take advantage of the absence of Andreas Christensen to finalize the loan of Joao Cancelo with Saudi club Al Hilal. The club has until next Tuesday, January 14, to send the Dane's medical report to LaLiga, justifying his absence for four or more months due to a partial tear of the left cruciate ligament.

Thanks to the salary freed up by Christensen's injury, **Barça will save around 5 million euros**, enough margin to offset Cancelo's return and his registration for the second half of the season. **Fabrizio Romano** assures that the operation will cost the Blaugrana team **about 4 'kilos'**, with no purchase option and assuming a smaller percentage of the Portuguese player's salary.

In principle, **Hansi Flick** and **Deco** considered the possibility of signing another center-back, but in the end, the club opted for the 'Joao' option'. The full-back can be key to managing the minutes of **Jules Koundé** and **Alejandro Balde**, while the central defense can be strengthened with the recovery of **Ronald Araujo** and the good work of **Gerard Martín**

Barça to Close Winter Transfer Market with Cancelo

In this regard, the return of Cancelo, who already played one season on loan (23/24) at Barcelona, closes the Blaugrana's transfer market this January. At least as far as new signings are concerned. Firstly, because there is full confidence in the board and the coaching staff regarding the **solidity and depth of the squad**, with at least two quality options available in each position.

Secondly, because **Joan Laporta** prefers to wait until summer to make a significant investment, whether it be for **the signing of a '9' or another center-back**. Both options can even be considered, once Barça's finances account for the profits of the 25/26 fiscal year and the club can plan its budget for the upcoming season with a fully operational Spotify Camp Nou

Ter Stegen, the only unresolved issue in the winter market

Ter Stegen during a warm-up with Barça.

Regarding departures, Hansi Flick was emphatic in stating, prior to the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, that no Barça player has asked to leave in January for now. Likewise, the board is not inclined to force any loan or transfer, but it is clear that the case of Marc-André ter Stegen must be resolved this month

The German has an offer from Girona to go on loan until June, thus having the minutes he needs to arrive in full condition for the World Cup. Flick could only give him opportunities in some Copa del Rey matches, although the presence of Wojciech Szczesny remains important for the German coach.

Initially, 'Matts' did not seem interested in Girona's offer, but Míchel's insistence seems to have yielded good results in recent weeks. In any case, the negotiation is expected to be resolved in the final stretch of the market, which ends on February 2, once those from Montilivi confirm the departure of the Croatian Dominic Livakovic.

Like Joao Cancelo, Ter Stegen would negotiate a simple loan and, in the summer, would have to resolve his future at a club where he has run out of space. Simone Inzaghi ruled out the Portuguese full-back at Al Hilal. Hansi Flick did the same with the German goalkeeper at a Barça that, with Joan García, seems to have secured the future of its goal for the next decade