FC Barcelona has initiated contract talks with Al-Hilal’s highly-rated defender as a January move gathers pace.
FC Barcelona’s sporting department has kicked off exploratory talks with representatives of a familiar face from their recent past, eyeing a potential reunion amid mounting defensive injury woes that have exposed vulnerabilities at the back.
The Catalan giants, grappling with Andreas Christensen’s partial ACL tear and a packed fixture list under Hansi Flick, seek short-term reinforcements to stabilize their backline before the January window slams shut.
This move signals a pragmatic shift, prioritizing versatility over a straight center-back signing, as the club navigates financial fair play constraints while aiming to sustain their La Liga title challenge.
The player’s prior impact during a memorable loan spell—logging over 3,300 minutes, scoring four goals, and providing five assists—left a lasting impression, making him a tactical fit to ease the burdens on Jules Kounde and reposition Eric Garcia centrally.
That defender is João Cancelo, the Portuguese full-back who shone under Xavi in the 2023/24 season before financial hurdles blocked a permanent stay, leading to his summer 2024 switch to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Cancelo is poised to depart the Saudi Pro League outfit in January, having featured zero minutes this season due to a hamstring injury and coach Simone Inzaghi’s preference for his established squad.
Barcelona’s outreach seeks details on availability and deal structure, positioning them ahead in the race despite interest from Inter Milan, who have also inquired about loan terms.
Al-Hilal’s willingness to offload stems from Cancelo’s sidelined status, paving the way for a cost-effective loan.
The 31-year-old has openly expressed affection for Barcelona, admitting he follows their matches religiously, suggesting he’d welcome a return to the Camp Nou.
With economic viability key, this ‘Cancelo route’ could trump other targets, bolstering depth without breaking the bank.
As negotiations heat up, Barca fans dream of reliving his dazzling displays from that standout season.
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