Inter Milan had reportedly reached an agreement to sign Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal, but according to Fabrizio Romano, interest from Barcelona prompted the Portugal international to snub the Nerazzurri in favour of a return to the Blaugrana.
Having spent the 2023-24 season there on loan from Manchester City, Cancelo will now rejoin Barcelona, also on loan, for the remainder of this season. His services between January and June will cost the La Liga giants a loan fee of €4million.
🚨💙❤️ BREAKING: João Cancelo to Barcelona, here we go! Deal in place on loan until June.
Exclusive story confirmed as Barça will pay €4m as loan coverage to Al Hilal, as revealed today.
Despite Inter having deal in place with Al Hilal, João only wanted Barcelona. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Sy3CRMeIvT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2026
It is believed that crucial input in this matter came from the Barcelona dressing room, with the players insisting the club brings the 31-year-old right-back to their ranks again.
Cancelo has won league titles in Portugal with Benfica, in Italy with Juventus, in England with Manchester City, and in Germany with Bayern Munich, but his first spell at Barcelona ended without silverware. He also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in 2019.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
