Joao Cancelo wants to return to Europe in 2026: the full-back offers himself to Barça again

The future of Joao Cancelo seems to strongly point towards the European market in the transfer window that opens on January 2nd. The Saudi outlet 'Arryadiyah' assures that the 31-year-old full-back is not in the plans of Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi for the second half of the season, and the Portuguese international also would not want to stay in Arabia

Although he has a contract until 2027, Al Hilal does not intend to block Cancelo's departure. On the contrary, **the club would accept a six-month loan move**, covering part of his salary (around 15 million gross per year) to facilitate his exit. This would be contingent on the stance of Inzaghi, who took charge of the club in the summer, before the Club World Cup.

Joao Cancelo Offers Himself to Barça and Other European Giants

In that regard, Cancelo has reportedly already asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to offer him to several European giants, as his goal is to return to playing at the elite level as soon as possible and arrive at the World Cup with Portugal in his best form

Joao still dreams of returning to FC Barcelona, where he played on loan in the 23/24 season, under Xavi Hernández. The departure of the Egarense and the economic aspirations of Manchester City closed the door to a transfer in the summer of 2024. Finally, Al Hilal acquired his rights for 25 million.

With Barça, the one from Barreiro played 45 games in which he scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists. Although he was important for Xavi as a full-back on both sides, the club decided not to exercise its purchase option due to the limited salary margin available for signings.

In addition to the Catalan club, the English Premier League and the Portuguese Primeira Liga are rumored as possible destinations for the former City full-back. Cancelo left Benfica's academy in 2014 for Valencia. He then moved to Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, completing four transfers for a total of 145 million euros.

Barça 'ignores' interest in Cancelo

With the second half of the 25/26 season approaching, Joao Cancelo does not seem to have a place in **Hansi Flick**'s plans. The manager only sees it feasible to sign another center-back, as the flanks are well covered by **Jules Koundé** and **Alejandro Balde**, in addition to **Eric García** and **Gerard Martín** as backups.

Signing him on a six-month loan, with no mandatory purchase option and assuming a minority percentage of his salary, could entice several clubs to acquire the Portuguese player. Barça, however, is no longer interested in the 31-year-old full-back, beyond his experience and versatility.

The reasons are sporting and financial. Flick is satisfied with the available alternatives for the wings and, furthermore, the club has not yet managed to operate under the 1:1 rule of financial 'Fair Play'. Therefore, only a central defender is planned for January, a decision that has not yet been made by the Barça leadership despite the long-term absence of Andreas Christensen