Joao Cancelo has been spotted arriving in Barcelona ahead of a loan move from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
The Portugal international previously spent the 2023–24 season on loan with the Catalan club and is now set to temporarily pause his time in the Middle East.
Cancelo left Manchester City after falling out of favour, ending a spell that saw him make 154 appearances and score nine goals for the Premier League side.
After a short loan at Bayern Munich during the second half of the 2022–23 season, Barcelona brought him in on a season-long deal and the defender made clear his desire to stay.
“I’d like to stay here,” Cancelo said in March 2024, adding that he was proud to wear the Barcelona shirt.
He repeated that stance during Euro 2024, saying his hope was to continue at the club, but a permanent move did not materialise.
In August 2024, Cancelo joined Al Hilal for around £21 million, though links to a Barcelona return have persisted.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick recently admitted Cancelo could give his side “good options” and said he would “appreciate” the defender joining.
[As seen in footage shared on social media, including by Fabrizio Romano], Cancelo is now on the cusp of completing a loan move for the rest of the season.
The move follows Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup final win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia, with the deal thought to have been delayed until after the competition.
Barcelona are preparing for a busy run of fixtures, and it remains to be seen when Cancelo who has scored three goals in 45 appearances for Al Hilal will make his second debut for the club.
