Barcelona Close to Signing Cancelo: Deco Signals a Winter Shock Move
7 January 2026
Transfer Update
Portuguese Deco, the sporting director of Barcelona, announced the near transfer of his fellow countryman Joao Cancelo, the left-back of Al-Hilal, to the Catalan club during the current winter transfer window.
Press reports revealed Cancelo's near departure from Al-Hilal, amid competition from Inter Milan and Barcelona to sign him, after he fell out of Italian coach Simone Inzaghi's plans, and his registration in the domestic league was rejected.
Deco said in statements quoted by Mundo Deportivo: "We hope that (the transfer), we are completing the final touches in the procedures".
He has not undergone medical examinations yet, but will travel to Barcelona soon, and we will complete the deal.
The 31-year-old previously played for Barcelona during the 2023-2024 season, on loan from Manchester City, before moving to Al-Hilal on a permanent deal in summer 2024, appearing in 45 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 18 assists.
Sniper punchline 1: If this move sticks, Cancelo will have more comebacks than a boomerang.
Sniper punchline 2: Barca's transfer market is so sharp, even their receipts wear uniforms.
