João Cancelo completes Barcelona loan move amid chaotic official announcement

Al Hilal defender João Cancelo has completed a loan move to Barcelona for the remainder of the season.

The signing of the 31-year-old Portugal international, who underwent a medical in the Catalan capital at the beginning of the week, was officially announced on Tuesday afternoon.

“FC Barcelona and Al Hilal Saudi FC have reached an agreement for the loan of the Portuguese full-back until the end of the season,” read a statement from the La Liga leaders. “He will wear the number two shirt.”  

Why was Barcelona’s official announcement of João Cancelo’s signing deleted?

Following the announcement, however, the club hastily deleted all references to the transfer from its official channels, creating confusion among supporters until it emerged that the delay had been caused by outstanding paperwork.

A planned press conference has been put back until the necessary documents have been signed, with the transfer expected to be formally ratified for a second time later on Tuesday. 

Once concluded, the heavily-trailed loan will mark a return to familiar surroundings for Cancelo, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Barcelona, where he played 32 league games after falling down the pecking order at former club Manchester City. 

Why did João Cancelo leave Al Hilal?

With less than six months to go until the World Cup, the transfer promises to bolster the full-back’s international prospects while drawing a line, temporarily at least, under a difficult period in the Saudi capital, where Cancelo’s strained relationship with head coach Simone Inzaghi had limited his playing time.

The Portugal defender has barely played since reacting with fury at his late withdrawal in Al Hilal’s league opener against Al Riyadh. Unregistered to play in domestic competition, he has not featured in the Saudi Pro League since mid-September, with his involvement restricted to a handful of appearances in the Asian Champions League.

Cancelo’s arrival promises a partial solution to Barcelona’s limited defensive options after Danish centre-back Andreas Christensen suffered a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear in training last month. It has been estimated that the injury will sideline him for up to five months, enabling the financially stretched club to use 80% of his salary margin to sign a replacement.

While Cancelo is not a direct replacement, his ability to cover either full-back position will provide manager Hansi Flick with greater flexibility across the back line and potentially beyond. 

What has Barcelona boss Hanso Flick said about Cancelo?

“João can play on both flanks,” said Flick. “It’s for six months, it’s a good option, and he has a lot of quality.”

The German has been forced to juggle his options this season, with Spain centre-back Eric García occasionally deployed at full-back this season and France international Jules Koundé providing cover at centre-back. The absence of Ronald Araújo, who has just returned from a mental health break, has further complicated the outlook for Flick, but Barcelona sporting director Deco expressed confidence that Cancelo’s arrival would alleviate pressure on the club’s personnel.

What has Deco said about how Cancelo will fit in at Barca?

“He is a player who brings more quality and value to the squad,” said Deco. “We wanted to sign him before, but we couldn’t compete with the offer from Saudi Arabia. 

“Now the opportunity has arisen, and we will be able to enjoy a player who can play on both flanks, as well as on the wing and even in midfield.”

Cancelo had previously been linked with Inter Milan.