Barça fans are in a frenzy; Barcelona could be very close to bringing back one of the players who caused the most excitement last season. Joao Cancelo, who was key for Xavi Hernández, dreams of returning to the Catalan club, and his return is more possible than many imagined. The Portuguese footballer is still waiting for a move from Barça. Meanwhile, Al Hilal, the club that owns his sporting rights, has already opened the door for his departure.
The figure being discussed by the Saudis is around €15 million (about $16.2 million), an amount Deco considers manageable to strengthen the right back position. The most striking thing is that the gesture from Barça's sporting director has given clear hints. According to sources close to the club, Deco has recently contacted Cancelo's camp.
This is an unmistakable sign that the interest is still alive, and that the club is already working on his return. Joao Cancelo hasn't hidden his desire to return to Camp Nou. Since his loan ended, he has sent subtle messages on social media. His camp has also hinted that the defender only has returning to wear the blaugrana jersey in mind.
He only wants Barça
Neither the Premier League nor Serie A appeal to him like Barça's project does, but the main obstacle is still Financial Fair Play. Although the sporting management is working to create room, if some departures are finalized, the Portuguese footballer's return would be a matter of time. Deco has already started to make moves, and his gesture toward Cancelo shows that there's more than just interest.
Joao Cancelo, 30 years old, brought depth, dribbling, and a lot of character during his time at Barça. His profile fits perfectly with the coach's style, Hansi Flick. The German coach considers it essential to have a full-back of his level and versatility to execute his game plan. From Arabia, Al Hilal won't put up too many obstacles; they want to free up salary space and know the player isn't comfortable.
Al Hilal decides his future
The Saudi club would prefer to sell him to Europe this summer. If Barça makes a move, there won't be any competition, because the full-back only wants to return to Camp Nou. Barça fans are already excited about his return. The deal is real and progressing quietly; in the club's offices, they don't want to repeat past mistakes. Deco's gesture has set off all the alarms. Cancelo could become the first major signing of the summer.
Everything is in Barça's hands. The price isn't high and the player is willing to push for the move. His priority is the blaugrana team. If nothing goes wrong, the dream can come true. Joao Cancelo is getting closer to Camp Nou, and this time it's to stay for good as a Barça footballer.