Barcelona are moving closer to signing João Cancelo on a permanent deal after Al-Hilal agreed to lower their valuation, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The breakthrough comes from Riyadh, not Munich. Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League side that owns Cancelo’s contract, have accepted that the Portuguese full-back will not return to the Middle East. His relationship with head coach Simone Inzaghi has deteriorated to the point where a reunion is impossible. That reality has forced Al-Hilal’s hand.
The Saudi club initially demanded €15 million for a permanent transfer. They are no longer holding firm on that figure. Barcelona, who face well-documented financial constraints, can now negotiate from a position of strength rather than desperation.
Cancelo earned that leverage through performance, not politics. He slotted into Hansi Flick’s system immediately after his January move and played a central role in Barcelona’s 2025/26 La Liga title campaign. His versatility at both left and right-back gave Flick tactical flexibility that proved decisive in a tight title race.
Barcelona are exploring additional ways to drive the price down further. Marc Casadó, the 21-year-old defensive midfielder who has struggled for consistent minutes at Camp Nou, has emerged as a potential makeweight in negotiations. The structure would see Casadó move to Al-Hilal as part of a package deal, reducing the cash component Barcelona must find.
