TRANSFER COMPLETE: Joao Cancelo will undergo his medical with Barça shortly

FC Barcelona hopes to formally close this Friday the six-month loan, until next June 30, of Joao Cancelo. According to information leaked by 'Mundo Deportivo', the Portuguese full-back will undergo his medical examination this Friday and, subsequently, will be a Barça player for all intents and purposes, although he has a contract with Al Hilal until 2027

Cancelo played his last match with the Saudi team on December 22 against **Sharjah** (0-1) on the sixth matchday of the AFC Champions League group stage. **Simone Inzaghi** practically did not count on him for the first half of the season, a factor that accelerated his loan move in January.

In total, Barreiro's player played 45 official matches for Al Hilal since his signing in the summer of 2024 for 25 million euros. In them, he accumulated **3 goals and 14 assists**, with the 2025 Club World Cup being his last major tournament with the Saudi team. **Inter Milan** also wanted to sign him, but the Portuguese player prioritized the Barça option

Barça to Present Joao Cancelo Next Week

Joao Cancelo in a match with Barça in 23/24.

The 31-year-old defender played on loan in 23/24 in 42 matches, in which he contributed 4 goals and 5 assists. Although the Barça team ruled out negotiating his transfer with Manchester City, Cancelo always expressed affection for the club and his desire to return.

Finally, conditions were favorable to negotiate a second spell for the Portuguese full-back at the Blaugrana club, where he arrives as a replacement for Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde. Hansi Flick approved his signing, although the possibility of signing another center-back was also open.

However, there was no option that convinced the board and the coaching staff. The club did not intend to make a high investment in the winter market for a reinforcement and opted to negotiate the loan of Joao, which **will cost around 4 million euros**

Joao Cancelo's official presentation, however, will be postponed until next week, after the return of the squad and the board from Arabia. The dispute of the Spanish Super Cup, in fact, was the reason why the Portuguese player's signing was postponed, so as not to generate distractions while the team defines the first title of the season

Christensen's absence, key to registering Cancelo

With the arrival of the 31-year-old defender, the club will close its winter market, at least as far as reinforcements are concerned. The only pending matter for the board is Marc-André ter Stegen, who has an offer from Girona to leave on loan until the end of the season

For now, the German has not asked to leave. Only if the '1' agrees to negotiate with Girona or any other club will Barcelona give the green light for his departure. In Joao's case, the long-term absence of Andreas Christensen will allow his registration. The board plans to send the medical documentation to LaLiga shortly, a procedure that must be completed before next Tuesday, January 14

In this regard, the full-back could receive his federation license for LaLiga matchday 20, against Real Sociedad (January 18). After the Spanish Super Cup, Hansi Flick's team must play five more matches in the second half of January, two of them in the Champions League and one in the Copa del Rey.