1 month ago
27
Set to sign
©IMAGO
Portuguese defender João Cancelo looks set to make a return to European football this month, with two giants of the continent fighting over the 31-year-old’s signature. According to reports in Italy, the Al-Hilal star has had a deal agreed with Serie A side Inter to make the move to Italy on a six-month loan deal. However, Fabrizio Romano now reports that LaLiga side Barcelona have swooped in and turned the player’s interest in their favour. According to the report, Barcelona will pay a loan fee of €4 million and a portion of Cancelo’s wages.
Few would doubt Cancelo’s decision making on the matter, considering that the defender has already played for both Inter and Barcelona at earlier stages of his career. Proper to making a €65m move to Manchester City in 2019, the Portuguese talent spent one season on loan at Inter, which piqued the interest of Juventus and convinced them to sign the player from Valencia for €40.4m in the summer of 2018. Cancelo then spent a season on loan at Barca during the 2023/24 season, ahead of his imminent departure from Man City and €25m move to Al-Hilal.
The senior defender may feel as though he has unfinished business in Catalonia, with his previous stint at Barcelona offering no silverware at all, as he and his team mates finished second to Real Madrid in the league title race as well as falling in the Champions League and Copa Del Rey at the quarter-final stages. In stark contrast, Barcelona enjoy a four-point lead at the top of LaLiga this season and remain in contention for all cup competitions.
