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Barcelona submit official bid to hijack Joao Cancelo move - Fabrizio Romano
Tom Weber
- 5 Jan 2026 17:32 GMT
- 4 min read
Breaking
Barcelona have made a formal bid to hijack Joao Cancelo's proposed move from Al-Hilal to Inter, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Portugal international will leave the Saudi giants this winter after a breakdown in the relationship with manager Simone Inzaghi. Cancelo has been informed that he will have to make way to free up one of Al-Hilal's valuable foreign spots.
This is ideal for him as he wants to return to Europe ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and the full-back has no shortage of suitors. Three of his former clubs have shown an interest in signing the 31-year-old over the past week.
Current ETV
João Cancelo
D (RL)
Al-Hilal
João Cancelo
D (RL)
Al-Hilal
ETV Range
€9.7M - €11.8M
Barcelona, Inter and Juventus have all been alerted to the player's availability and made a move for him. Juventus have only made a tentative enquiry, while Barcelona and Inter are now set to properly battle for his signature.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the Nerrazurri have had a deal in place with Al-Hilal since last week, but Barcelona have now made a formal bid to hijack this transfer.
Cancelo wants Barcelona return
Inter have been unable to close the deal for Cancelo because the player has made it clear that his preference would be a return to Barcelona, having played for the club on loan from Man City in 2023/24.
Barcelona are now proposing an initial loan deal. Due to the club's ongoing issues with LaLiga's salary cap, the Blaugrana can only cover a sliver of Cancelo's hefty salary.
Barcelona were mulling over whether or not to make a move for Cancelo as their real priority is signing a centre-back this month, but they have now decided to change their plans, perhaps because current right-back Jules Kounde can play centrally.
Talks with Al-Hilal are in full swing, and Cancelo's desire to return to Catalunya is likely to prove decisive because Inter will surely have presented a much better offer to the Saudi club.
The Serie A giants were prepared to include Stefan de Vrij or Francesco Acerbi - Inzaghi's former players - in the deal with Al-Hilal, as confirmed by director Giuseppe Marotta over the weekend. Inzaghi has demanded that one of the two be signed this month.
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