Barcelona are exploring a deal to bring back Portuguese player Joao Cancelo to Camp Nou in January 2026.
Blaugrana have held initial talks with Cancelo's current club Al Hilal (Saudi Pro League) and the player's representatives after coach Hansi Flick asked for reinforcements in the defense this month.
The talks are focused on finances. The LaLiga club prefers a loan for now while paying part of the player's salary.
Cancelo, 31, spent the 2023-2024 season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester City, making 42 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals.
He then left Manchester City to join Al Hilal in the summer of 2024, signing a contract with the Saudi club until 2027.
However, Cancelo is open to returning to Europe, with reports suggesting that one of his former clubs, Inter Milan, are also interested in his services.
Hansi Flick said last week that he hopes to add another defender to the squad in January 2026 after Andreas Christensen is out with an ACL injury for the next four months.
Ronald Araujo has also been absent since November 2025 after taking a break for mental health, so Pau Cubarsi's young player and former left-back Gerard Martin have been the main choice for the central defender duo in recent weeks.
Signing Cancelo would add depth at full-back and potentially allow Jules Kounde, who spent most of his Barcelona career playing right-back, to move back to the middle of defence, which the Frenchman says is his preferred position.
Throughout his career, Cancelo has played as a right and left wing-back. He can also play further forward if needed.
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