João Cancelo set to join Al Hilal in €25m transfer
The full-back is not returning to Barça
Barcelona were still hoping to perform a small miracle in the final week of the transfer window to bring João Cancelo back to the club for a second straight season on loan from Manchester City, but their hopes have now come to an end.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Cancelo has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a deal worth €25 million, with the full-back set to sign a three-year contract worth €15 million annually.
João Cancelo to Al Hilal, here we go! Deal in place for €25m package to Manchester City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2024
Cancelo completed first part of medical and verbal agreement is done, waiting to sign documents in the next hours.
Salary up to €15m package net per year on deal until 2027.
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Barça had been in talks with City to try and agree a deal for Cancelo since the start of a transfer window, but the club’s financial issues stopped them from presenting a permanent deal, the only type of transfer City would agree to.
The best the Blaugrana could offer was a season-long loan with a €20 million buy option next summer, according to multiple reports, but City accepted a deal that gives them guaranteed money and allows them to cut ties with Cancelo immediately since the player was not part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Barça are not expected to sign another full-back in the last few days of the window, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde set to be the starters on each side with a combination of youngsters such as Héctor Fort, Gerard Martín and Álex Valle providing depth for Hansi Flick’s squad.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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