Joao Cancelo, Al Hilal player
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Barcelona’s plans for Joao Cancelo’s return have seen a slight adjustment, but there is no cause for concern.
According to a recent report from SPORT, the defender’s arrival and medical examination have been postponed, with the club choosing to finalise the process after the Spanish Super Cup concludes.
Until recently, Cancelo was expected to undergo his medical examination on Saturday.
However, the updated plan now points to Monday as the key date, once Barcelona’s Super Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia comes to an end.
The timing of the medical will closely coincide with the return of the Barça players from their Super Cup commitment, allowing the club to handle everything smoothly.
Crucially, this delay has nothing to do with contractual issues or complications in negotiations.
The agreement between Barcelona and Al Hilal is fully finalised and leaves no loose ends.
Joao Cancelo, Al Hilal player
Cancelo will undergo his medical on Monday. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Cancelo will join Barça on loan until the end of the season, and all terms between the clubs have already been settled.
The postponement is purely logistical and linked to the player’s personal schedule rather than any problem with the operation itself.
Because of this revised plan, Cancelo will not travel to Saudi Arabia to link up with the squad ahead of the Super Cup final, something that had initially been considered.
Barcelona have deliberately chosen not to rush the process during such a decisive moment in the season.
With a Clasico final against Real Madrid on the horizon, the club want the focus to remain entirely on the pitch.
Bringing Cancelo into the mix during the tournament was seen as an unnecessary distraction, especially with everything already agreed.
As a result, the full-back is now expected to join his new teammates when Barcelona resume training on Tuesday.
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