Barcelona transfer news: La Liga champions 'closing in' on £8.5m deal for World Cup defender

Barcelona are reportedly closing successful connected signing of Al-Hilal defender Joao Cancelo connected a imperishable basis.

The 32-year-old has had 2 abstracted indebtedness spells astatine Barcelona during his career, archetypal during the 2023-24, erstwhile helium was contracted to Manchester City.

The Catalan outfit yet decided against signing Cancelo connected a imperishable ground successful the summertime of 2024, but helium returned connected indebtedness to the La Liga giants for the 2nd fractional of the 2025-26 campaign, making 23 appearances, scoring doubly and registering 4 assists.

There has been a big of speculation surrounding the Portugal international's aboriginal of late, with Barcelona said to beryllium determined to motion him connected a imperishable basis.

Barcelona 'closing in' connected £8.5m Cancelo signing

According to COPE, an statement is present astir complete, with Barcelona expected to pay €10m (£8.5m) to motion the defender, who is preparing to pen a two-year woody astatine Camp Nou.

Al-Hilal's willingness to driblet their asking terms has allegedly allowed the woody to spell done astatine this comparatively aboriginal stage, portion the defender's declaration with his Saudi Arabian outfit is owed to expire successful 2027.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has allegedly been heavy progressive successful the negotiations, and determination are suggestions that Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado could articulation the Saudi outfit.

Cancelo represented Portugal astatine the 2026 World Cup, making 5 appearances astatine the competition, providing 1 assistance successful the process.

However, Roberto Martinez's broadside were knocked retired successful the circular of 16 by Spain, truthful Cancelo's absorption volition present person switched wholly to his aboriginal astatine nine level.

Cancelo woody is fantabulous concern for Barcelona

Signing a subordinate of Cancelo's prime for £8.5m is fantabulous concern for Barcelona.

The Portuguese tin play right-back oregon left-back, and helium was 1 of the team's astir accordant performers successful the second stages of the 2025-26 campaign.

The woody is simply a objection that determination is inactive worth for wealth successful what is an inflated market, and Cancelo volition present beryllium bidding to assistance Barcelona bask different palmy season.