Awaiting Al Hilal's Final Green Light

Barcelona are prepared to fly Joao Cancelo to the city early next week, provided Al Hilal formally confirm the green light on his exit. The Portuguese full-back has made his intentions unmistakably clear throughout the summer, and this latest development suggests a resolution finally sits within reach.

Cancelo's affection for Barcelona has never really been in question. He shared a photo on Instagram wearing Barca colours, gazing skyward, a gesture that spoke louder than any official statement. Having previously spent time on loan at Camp Nou, first from Manchester City and later from Al Hilal, he made 23 appearances last season, contributing two goals and three assists while establishing himself as a key figure under Hansi Flick.

However, negotiations between the two clubs proved genuinely stubborn. Al Hilal initially demanded around €10 million, later increasing that figure toward €15 million, effectively playing hardball despite Cancelo's obvious desire to leave. The Saudi club even handed him a squad number for the new season and left him out of their opening league fixture, a decision manager Simone Inzaghi attributed entirely to the board.

Contract Termination Offers Breakthrough

Notably, momentum shifted once talks turned toward a mutual termination rather than a straight transfer fee. Reports suggest Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado could move the other way as part of a broader arrangement, helping smooth over Al Hilal's financial concerns while allowing Cancelo to depart as a free agent.

That structure would represent a considerable win for Barcelona's hierarchy. Securing a player of Cancelo's calibre without paying a substantial fee aligns neatly with the club's ongoing financial constraints under La Liga's spending rules. Flick, for his part, has reportedly given full backing to the move, valuing Cancelo's ability to invert into midfield and create overloads on either flank.

Cancelo's absence from Al Hilal's preseason training camp in Austria only reinforced how determined he remains to force this move through. With termination talks reportedly progressing quickly, according to Sportscape Magazine, Barcelona now appear ready to move the moment official confirmation arrives.