Joao Cancelo: Portuguese full-back ‘unhappy at Al-Hilal’ as Barcelona prepare January move

Joao Cancelo is unlikely to stay at Al-Hilal past this season, based on stories within the European press. The Portuguese full-back is known to be sad below the administration of Simone Inzaghi and has joined a rising listing of gamers looking for to depart the Saudi membership, with Barcelona expressing curiosity in re-signing him.

Based on Spanish publication Sport, Cancelo has indicated his want to depart Al-Hilal in latest days. The correct-back has struggled with bodily issues all through this season and has featured in simply two Saudi Professional League matches. Inzaghi has subsequently indicated that he won’t register the participant on the membership’s international participant listing for the second half of the marketing campaign.

Saudi Professional League laws allow the registration of as much as 10 international gamers in a squad, with two of these locations reserved solely for gamers aged 21 or below. Al-Hilal at the moment have 11 foreign-born gamers of their squad, necessitating a discount.

Since becoming a member of Al-Hilal in 2024, Cancelo has a contract till 2027, however his want to depart Saudi Arabia has sparked curiosity from Barcelona in bringing him again to Camp Nou. Throughout the 2023-24 season, he represented the membership on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis. Monetary constraints, nevertheless, prevented the Catalan giants from securing his everlasting signature.

Cancelo’s potential arrival comes at a time when Hansi Flick’s line of defense is affected by repeated setbacks. Ronald Araujo has stepped away to concentrate on his psychological well being, whereas Andreas Christensen is sidelined with a knee harm, leaving Barcelona wanting defensive choices. The Portuguese defender may present helpful reinforcement on this state of affairs.

At 31 years of age, a transfer to Barcelona would additionally profit Cancelo in securing common taking part in time forward of the 2026 World Cup with Portugal. If he stays at Al-Hilal and isn’t registered for the Saudi Professional League, he would solely be eligible to signify the staff within the AFC Champions League.

Al-Hilal affected by departures this season

Cancelo is just not the primary participant to specific a want to depart Al-Hilal. Earlier this yr, Marcos Leonardo got here near becoming a member of Sao Paulo, however Inzaghi’s want to retain the Brazilian within the squad sophisticated negotiations.

Renan Lodi, in the meantime, was provided to a number of golf equipment in Brazilian soccer after being left off the Saudi Professional League registration listing. The left-back finally reached an settlement with Atletico Mineiro and can signify the membership in the course of the 2026 season.

Malcom, who was teammates with Neymar in the course of the quantity 10’s time on the membership, stays one of many survivors from that squad, regardless of curiosity over latest years – together with from Brazilian golf equipment. Aleksandar Mitrovic, who additionally performed alongside the Brazilians, left Al-Hilal to affix a membership in Qatar this yr.

This text was initially printed on Trivela.