Barcelona have acknowledged publicly that they are on the hunt for a defender, and it appears they have settled on their target. Despite initial reports that the club internally were not aligned on a move for Joao Cancelo, the Blaugrana appear to be trying to bring the Portuguese full-back in for a second spell.
Cancelo is keen to leave Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia after 18 months, and has been in talks over a loan move. Barcelona and Juventus had enquired about Cancelo, but it was Inter who had moved ahead with negotiations for Cancelo. Al-Hilal are requiring 50% of his €15m per annum salary to be covered, which amounts to €3.75m for the second half of the season. Reports from the Catalan capital had declared that internally Barcelona were split on making a bid for the 31-year-old.
Barcelona submit loan offer for Cancelo
Joao Cancelo
Cancelo is keen to sign for Barcelona.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have now made a bid for Cancelo though. Their offer only covers a ‘small part’ of his salary, but talks are set to coninue. Al-Hilal do have a deal agreed with Inter for Cancelo to return to Serie A, but the ex-Manchester City man is keen to exhaust any options he has to head back to Camp Nou.
🚨🔵🔴 EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona send initial official bid to Al Hilal for João Cancelo.
Loan proposal with small part of salary covered, negotiations ongoing.
❗️ Inter have deal verbally agreed with Al Hilal for Cancelo since last week… but player’s waiting for Barça. pic.twitter.com/T20fWPd1S8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2026