Joao Cancelo‘s proposed return to Barcelona has encountered another twist after Al Hilal officially assigned the Portuguese defender a squad number for the 2026/27 season. The move has fueled speculation that the Saudi Pro League giants are not yet ready to part ways with one of their most experienced full-backs.
While Barcelona remain confident that Cancelo will eventually make his way back to Camp Nou, Al Hilal’s latest decision suggests the transfer is far from complete. The Saudi club appears determined to keep every option open as negotiations continue, potentially making the final stages of the deal more complicated.
Cancelo has reportedly prioritized a return to Barcelona after enjoying two successful spells with the Catalan side. However, with Al Hilal still holding his registration and showing no urgency to finalize an exit, Barcelona may need to work harder to secure the defender’s signature before the transfer window closes.
Al Hilal Signal Cancelo Remains in Their Plans
Assigning Cancelo a squad number is widely viewed as a sign that Al Hilal have not completely ruled out keeping the Portugal international for the upcoming campaign.
Although squad numbers do not necessarily guarantee a player’s future, they often indicate that a club still considers the player part of its first-team plans until a transfer is officially completed.
At the same time, Al Hilal’s defensive options have evolved during the summer.
The arrival of Mohammed Mahzari has increased competition at the back, leading to questions over where Cancelo fits into Simone Inzaghi’s long-term plans. As a result, the squad number announcement may simply reflect his current registration status rather than a definitive decision to retain him.
Nevertheless, the move strengthens Al Hilal’s negotiating position, allowing the club to avoid appearing under pressure to sell.
Barcelona Remain Confident of Reuniting With Cancelo
Despite the uncertainty, Barcelona continue to believe a deal can still be completed.
Reports suggest that the Catalan club and Cancelo have already reached an agreement on personal terms, demonstrating the player’s strong desire to return to Camp Nou.
Cancelo previously enjoyed two separate spells with Barcelona, where he established himself as an important member of the squad thanks to his attacking quality, versatility and experience.
His performances in Spain also helped him regain top form before representing Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following Portugal’s early elimination from the tournament, Cancelo reportedly made it clear that returning to Barcelona remains his preferred destination.
That commitment has been one of the driving forces behind the ongoing negotiations.
Transfer Fee Could Become the Biggest Obstacle
While personal terms are believed to be settled, the financial side of the transfer remains unresolved.
Recent reports indicate that both clubs have been moving closer to an agreement worth around €10 million, but the final paperwork has yet to be completed.
In the meantime, Cancelo has returned to pre-season training under Simone Inzaghi, reinforcing the reality that he remains an Al Hilal player until an official agreement is reached.
Barcelona are optimistic that negotiations can be concluded before the end of the month, but Al Hilal now appear determined to maximize the value of any potential transfer.
The Saudi club knows Barcelona are eager to complete the deal, and that could encourage them to seek improved financial terms before giving the green light.
Barcelona Face a Crucial Decision
The latest developments mean Barcelona may have to approach the negotiations with greater caution.
If Al Hilal increase their demands, the Blaugrana hierarchy will need to decide whether to meet the asking price or explore alternative solutions to bring Cancelo back to Spain.
Given Barcelona’s ongoing efforts to balance their finances, every transfer negotiation remains significant.
For Cancelo, however, the objective appears unchanged. The experienced defender is reportedly focused on returning to Camp Nou, where he believes he can continue competing at the highest level and play an important role in Barcelona’s ambitions for the 2026/27 season.
Until an agreement is finalized, uncertainty will continue to surround the Portugal international’s future.
Al Hilal’s decision to hand Joao Cancelo a squad number has not ended Barcelona’s pursuit, but it has certainly added another layer of complexity to one of the summer’s most closely watched transfer negotiations.
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