Al-Hilal Set €15 Million Valuation for Joao Cancelo Amid Barcelona Interest

Al-Hilal has reportedly established a €15 million asking price for Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, dealing a blow to Barcelona’s hopes of securing another temporary deal. The Saudi Pro League giants are standing firm, rejecting any further loan arrangements in favor of a permanent sale to capitalize on the player's value.

Al-Hilal Prioritize Permanent Sale

The management at Al-Hilal is focused on either bringing Cancelo back into their active roster or offloading him permanently before his contract expires. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, formal talks are currently paused, with the Saudi club unlikely to revisit the situation until the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season in May.

While Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is eager to keep the versatile defender at the Camp Nou, the €15 million price tag poses a significant challenge for the Catalan club’s financial situation. Al-Hilal's decision-making will ultimately hinge on a technical assessment from coach Simone Inzaghi. If Cancelo insists on remaining in Europe, the club will seek the highest possible transfer fee.

Negotiations and Swap Deal Rumors

To bridge the gap, Barcelona has enlisted the help of prominent agent Jorge Mendes. Discussions have also touched upon Cancelo’s substantial wage requirements. While internal talks at Barcelona suggested a potential swap involving youngster Marc Casado, the midfielder has reportedly expressed no desire to move to the Middle East at this stage of his career.

For the time being, Al-Hilal has deferred all official negotiations. They are awaiting a comprehensive technical report to ensure their financial and competitive goals are met regarding the Joao Cancelo transfer price and his eventual destination.