Romano confirms: Barcelona agrees to sign João
According to Sports.
Context
João Cancelo, who has already shown his value in La Liga, returns to Barcelona after a successful loan. His experience and quality at full-back could be crucial to the club's success this new season, especially with the pressure to compete at the highest level of the Spanish league.
Why this matters
The signing of João Cancelo on a free transfer represents a smart move for Barcelona, who are looking to strengthen their defense after a challenging season. With the addition of Cancelo, who performed remarkably well during his loan spell, the Catalan club not only improves its defensive line but also demonstrates an ability to operate effectively in the transfer market, even in difficult financial times.
Main conclusions
- Romano confirms: Barcelona agrees to sign João.
- João Cancelo is preparing to return to Barcelona permanently, at zero cost, after weeks of negotiations and termination with his previous club.
- Here we go: Barcelona reach agreement to sign Portuguese international - Yahoo Sports.
Barcelona is one step away from making its third major reinforcement of the summer official, after the arrivals of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon. João Cancelo, a Portuguese international who shone on loan in the second half of last season, will sign permanently with the Catalans, in a deal with no transfer fee. The information was presented as closed by market specialist Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed that the last barriers had been overcome.
According to what was possible to ascertain, the agreement to terminate Cancelo's contract with his previous club was concluded, paving the way for the full-back to become a free agent and be able to sign a contract with Barça. The defender is authorized to travel at the beginning of next week and, with the salary and duration terms agreed since June, the signing is scheduled for Tuesday. The Blaugrana's plan involves offering a contract valid for two seasons.
Cancelo's departure from the Middle East came after weeks of negotiations. The team where he played still had another year of connection with the player and, internally, valued him at around 10 million euros. However, the Portuguese international's firm desire to return to Barcelona, combined with the excess of foreigners in the Saudi squad, ended up opening the door to a friendly separation, allowing him to leave at no cost. For Barça, it is a financial relief: they save on the transfer and gain margin to accommodate a competitive salary within the budget limits.
On the field, Cancelo convinced Hansi Flick during his last loan, including playing several times on the left flank. His versatility – capable of performing on both flanks – offers the German coach immediate solutions for different systems and calendar demands. After two spells on loan, the full-back will finally be able to call the Camp Nou "home", achieving an old goal. The Portuguese never hid his admiration for the club, expressed on several occasions in his publications and public interventions.
This move is part of an ambitious window for Barcelona, which has already secured Adeyemi and Gordon to reinforce the attack. With Cancelo, the team gains depth and experience on the defensive wings, key elements in the fight for titles in La Liga and European competitions. The agreement should be made official after signing, with the club thus closing another central piece of its plan for 2024/25.
What happens next
With authorization to travel, Cancelo is expected to sign a contract with Barcelona next week, solidifying his position in the squad. This move not only strengthens Barça's defense, but could also influence future signings as the club looks to balance its squad for the upcoming La Liga season. The expectation is that Cancelo will contribute significantly to the development of the team's game.
Frequently asked questions
Who is João Cancelo?
João Cancelo is a Portuguese international who played on loan in the second half of last season.
Where does João Cancelo come from?
João Cancelo comes from Al Hilal, where he still had one year left on his contract.
Why did João Cancelo choose Barcelona?
João Cancelo had a firm desire to return to Barcelona, which facilitated his separation from Al Hilal.
What is the status of João Cancelo's business?
The deal is closed and João Cancelo will sign for Barcelona on a free transfer.
When will the
signing of João Cancelo's contract?
The signing of the contract is scheduled for Tuesday, after authorization to travel at the beginning of next week.