Cancelo comes home, but with a compromise
A deal quietly comes together
Barcelona have reached a full agreement to sign João Cancelo on loan until June, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Italian reporter said the Spanish club will pay around €4 million in loan related costs to Al Hilal to complete the move.
Romano described the agreement as final, with negotiations concluded and all major terms settled. He reported that the deal had reached the closing stages earlier in the day before confirming it as complete.
The agreement brings clarity to Cancelo’s situation after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future during a fast moving transfer window.
Preference over alternatives
Inter had also been working on a deal for Cancelo and had reached an agreement in principle with Al Hilal, according to Romano. Despite that progress, the defender made it clear that his priority was a return to Barcelona.
Read also: Football and online paywalls, the shirt that sells access
Romano reported that Cancelo rejected other options and focused solely on rejoining the Spanish side. His stance played a central role in shaping the final outcome of the negotiations.
Barcelona’s decision to structure the move as a loan allowed the club to proceed despite ongoing financial limitations.
A financial compromise to make it happen
Further details from football outlet 433 indicate that Cancelo reduced his salary by more than 50 percent to facilitate the move. According to the report, the scale of the pay cut was decisive in allowing Barcelona to stay within budget.
The outlet reported that the Portugal international was willing to accept significantly lower wages in order to return to a club he feels strongly connected to.
Read also: Porto gamble on experience with Thiago Silva return
The salary reduction helped bridge the financial gap between the clubs and ensured the deal could be completed without additional complications.
Why this move matters for barcelona
Cancelo’s return strengthens Barcelona’s options across the defensive line, particularly with his versatility on both flanks. The move also reflects a broader strategy of targeting players who are willing to adapt financially in order to play for the club.
For Barcelona, the deal combines sporting value with financial pragmatism, while for Cancelo it represents a return to familiar surroundings after making clear where he wanted to be.
Sources, Fabrizio Romano, 433
Read also: Putin celebrates Paralympic flag comeback while Ukraine counts its dead
