Barcelona loan player Joao Cancelo has been targeted by Al Hilal, after an uncertain future at stake and as Barcelona is unable to offer a complete deal with fee because of financial irregularities.
Al Hilal has set their eyes on Cancelo, who are ready to offer a three year contract of €15 million per year. The Saudi League club initially set to rope three players, that included Walker, Cancelo and Jeremie Frimpong.
While Walker wouldn’t get a transfer before his deadline, this makes it easier for the Saudi club to take Cancelo with them. Pep Guardiola, City’s coach had suggested earlier that Cancelo would join the squad this summer after his loan completion, but neither did he play for the Community Shield nor did he play for a Premier League match.
Reports have suggested that Cancelo’s stint under City has come to an end, and he is set for medical, this Friday to complete his move to Al Hilal.
Joao Cancelo reign as a loan player
The 30 year old player had joined Manchester City in 2019 and had featured in 154 matches with the Premier League champions, since then, with nine goals and twenty one assists, his stay at City was memorable enough.
In the second half of 2022-23, he joined Bayern Munich on loan and had a wonderful feat there with one goal and six assists. Cancelo was hoping the loan move to Bayern Munich would become permanent, but instead in summer, he joined Barcelona, again as a loan player.
Joao Cancelo made 42 appearances with Barcelona, and a permanent move to the club was hopeful again, but the financial issues of the club acted as a barrier to the transfer decision, prompting Al Hilal, the Saudi Club to make an offer.
Cancelo’s transfer to Al Hilal
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has opened up about Cancelo’s transfer to the Saudi club, he has said that it depends on the club and his agents, if he decides to stay, well and good, the club would treat him with respect, in regards to all the players and make the best out of him.
Al Hilal was initially interested in Liverpool player Trent Alexander Arnold, but the Englishman hasn’t expressed much interest in the Saudi Club, as they are looking for options to replace Saud Abdulhamid who has got an offer from a French club.
Manchester City is also looking to offload players from the club including Cancelo who is on loan, the 33 year old player transfer situation becoming an issue in itself as the transfer window has been closing, and Barcelona is no where interested in the player because of the high fee and the player’s performances.
City has arrived at an agreement between Al Hilal of €35 million, a sum Barcelona couldn’t dream of paying. A sum worthy deal and three year contract is a lot for a player, like Joao Cancelo. Manchester City has been pressuring Cancelo to accept the lucrative deal, which is beneficial for the club and player as well.
Cancelo, who was eager to stay at Barcelona, has to accept the new deal made by the Saudi club and is prepared to move to the Middle East.
