Portugal World Cup exit accelerates Barcelona’s move for versatile full-back

Portugal World Cup exit accelerates Barcelona’s move for versatile full-back Barcelona appear to be on the verge of securing the signing of Joao Cancelo, with negotiations reaching an advanced stage following Portugal’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026. According to SPORT , the Joao Cancelo Barcelona operation is progressing rapidly and could be finalised in the coming days.  Sources close to the Catalan club believe Portugal’s exit from the tournament has opened the door for discussions to move towards their final phase. The Portuguese defender has long been viewed as a top target for Barcelona, and the club is now optimistic about completing a deal before preparations for the new season intensify. Barcelona closing in on Cancelo transfer The proposed agreement would see Joao Cancelo become a Barcelona player through a transfer package worth less than €10 million , including fixed payments and potential bonuses. As per the outlet, only a handful of details remain unresolved, with tax-related matters emerging as the final obstacle. Barcelona will speed up the process to sign Joao Cancelo. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Cancelo’s current contract conditions in Saudi Arabia differ significantly from those he would face in Spain.  During his spell with Al-Hilal, the defender benefited from a tax-free environment, whereas his move back to La Liga in January would naturally involve a different financial structure. Despite these adjustments, the player has accepted terms that fit within Barcelona’s financial framework. His willingness to lower his earnings has been one of the decisive factors behind the progress of the Joao Cancelo transfer. Cancelo determined to return to Barcelona It must be remembered that the player’s stance has played a central role throughout negotiations. Reports suggest Cancelo informed Al-Hilal that he had no intention of returning to Saudi Arabia, particularly after feeling disappointed by the circumstances surrounding his situation at the club. Cancelo does not want to play for Al-Hilal. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) He was unhappy after not being registered for league competition, something that complicated matters during an important season leading up to the World Cup. Furthermore, his relationship with coach Simone Inzaghi is also understood to have deteriorated, further strengthening the idea that a permanent separation is the best outcome for everyone involved. Although Al-Hilal explored ways to maximise the value of a sale, their negotiating leverage was limited because of Cancelo’s desire to join Barcelona. There has also been speculation regarding Marc Casado , with the Saudi side showing interest in the Barcelona academy graduate, although both situations are being handled independently and remain unrelated. Simply put, considering recent developments involving Portugal’s World Cup elimination and Cancelo’s desire to leave Al-Hilal, Barcelona have all the reasons to be optimistic about signing the full-back permanently.