Barcelona may not have had much luck pursuing their top targets this week, but the club have made some important progress in the pursuit of Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese international is expected to rejoin Barcelona after a successful loan spell during the second half of last season.
Cancelo’s contract at Al Hilal expires in the summer of 2027, but Barcelona are in talks with the Saudi club to reach a financial settlement.
Cancelo gives up his salary
Cancelo is edging closer to joining Barcelona. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
According to Saudi Arabian journalist Abdullah Al-Hunayan (h/t FCB World), Cancelo has agreed to forgo a part of his salary at Al Hilal in order to fast-track his move to Barcelona.
This effectively means the Portuguese international has agreed to give up his salary at Al Hilal for the remainder of his contract, amounting to a period of around 11 months.
That is quite a sacrifice for a player already in the final phase of his career, which highlights the sheer committment the player has in rejoining the Barcelona project.
His great sacrifice is likely going to be key in helping the Catalans reach a settlement with Al Hilal, who have the option of terminating the player’s contract for a fee.
A deal edging closer
Cancelo’s addition will be a major boost for Barcelona. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
The development is another clear sign that Cancelo’s return is now only a matter of days away, with all parties working towards a swift resolution.
Cancelo himself has done little to hide his desire, having posted images of himself in a Barcelona shirt on social media, one recently accompanied by an hourglass emoji.
The message is hardly subtle, and it reflects just how determined he is to seal a third spell at the club.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona are ready to fly Cancelo into the city early next week, once Al Hilal grant the final approval for his departure.
For Hansi Flick, getting the deal done is a priority. The Portuguese impressed during his loan stint, offering quality and versatility across both flanks, and his willingness to sacrifice his wages should now help accelerate a reunion that suits all parties.