Barça preps a Cancelo boost as Clasico approaches
10 January 2026
Good news for Barcelona fans ahead of the Clasico.
A Spanish newspaper report published on Saturday specifies the date for Barcelona to announce its winter signing, Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo, on loan from Al Hilal.
Barcelona had reached an agreement with Al Hilal to loan Cancelo until the end of the current season, after the Portuguese player chose to return to Europe.
Timeline of Cancelo's Barcelona move
According to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the official announcement will not be made until next Monday, when the Portuguese full-back arrives in Barcelona to undergo the required medical tests.
The tests were initially planned for Friday, as Barcelona president Laporta confirmed on TV3 last Thursday.
The report adds that finalizing a few contract details delayed his arrival; the most likely path is for him to join after Barcelona's match against Real Madrid.
Finals, broadcasting and the loan details
Barça will face Real Madrid tomorrow night in the Spanish Super Cup final, held in Saudi Arabia.
The final will be broadcast via the Eight app, the official broadcaster of the Saudi Pro League.
The newspaper stressed that the player is not expected to have any trouble passing medical tests, given his prior agreement with Barcelona, and a formal deal between the clubs is being documented in contracts to complete the loan.
However, the club does not want to disrupt preparations for the final to avoid distracting the squad from the decisive clash with Real Madrid.
Deco yesterday commented on the Portuguese full-back's move, confirming it is happening: "We are signing Cancelo because he will improve the team's quality... ultimately, what matters in the winter window is improvement; staying the same or regressing makes no sense".
Punchline 1: Cancelo walking in through the door is Barca finally upgrading from a paper cross to a GPS-guided cross.
Punchline 2: If Barca’s defense can keep a clean sheet with Cancelo, chalk it up to good wind and better aim—snipers approve.
