RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesBarcelona defensive target called up for pre-season by current club as transfer talks continue
Barcelona signed Portuguese veteran Joao Cancelo on loan last January, and not many people knew what to expect from a player who had spent the last two seasons in the Saudi Pro League.
However, Cancelo immediately adapted to Hansi Flick’s team, bringing creativity and crossing from the left and changing the dimension of the side.
Barça have been keen to bring him back permanently since the start of the summer transfer window, and a move is still in the works.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo , Cancelo has been instructed to report for Al Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria on 29 July while negotiations over a possible return to Barcelona continue.
The Portuguese full-back will fulfil his obligations with the Saudi club until a permanent transfer is agreed.
Cancelo wants Barcelona return. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Al Hilal will remain in Austria until 3 August, giving both clubs a limited window to make progress.
Cancelo still wants Barcelona return
Cancelo’s preference is understood to be clear. He wants to return to Barcelona and continue wearing the Blaugrana shirt after establishing himself as an important player last season.
Hansi Flick would also like to have him available during the training camp in England, but the coach understands that the operation may require patience.
Jorge Mendes is now working to secure an offer from Barcelona that Al Hilal consider acceptable.
The Saudi club have asked the super-agent to bring them a suitable proposal because Cancelo still has one year remaining on his contract.
Al Hilal open the door to a sale
The situation appears to be moving gradually in Barcelona’s favour.
Al Hilal are now prepared to listen to offers and would not stand in the player’s way if an acceptable bid arrives.
Al Hilal have told Cancelo to report for pre-season. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
Their new sporting leadership has approved a possible sale, especially after Cancelo communicated his desire to leave.
Cancelo has been out of the Saudi club’s sporting plans for some time now, but they are very keen on getting a decent fee to let him leave this summer.
From a Barcelona perspective, having Cancelo back would make the left-back situation look so much stronger.
Right now, Barça have Alejandro Balde, who has not exploded into the player his talent suggested he would, and Cancelo provides a different option to the Spaniard.
The key issue will be financial. The Catalans cannot allow the player’s desire to return to push them into an offer that damages their wider squad planning.
With just one year left on his Al Hilal contract, Barcelona can afford to play the waiting game to get a more favourable deal, and let us hope Cancelo is back wearing the Blaugrana sooner rather than later.
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