João Cancelo is set to leave Al-Hilal for a two-year stint with Barcelona, taking a pretty significant pay cut in the process. The transfer is valued at under €10 million, with tax details being the final hurdle to complete the move.
- Cancelo is taking a pay cut to join Barcelona.
- The transfer is valued at under €10 million.
- Tax details are the last step to finalize the move.
Cancelo’s Career Journey
João Cancelo has had quite an illustrious career, playing for some of Europe’s top clubs. He started out at Benfica, where he developed his skills as an inverted wing-back. In 2014 he moved to Valencia, followed by a big transfer to Juventus in 2018 for €40.4 million. Cancelo then joined Manchester City in 2019 for €65 million, further building his reputation as a versatile defender. After loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, he eventually transferred to Al-Hilal. His return to Barcelona really shows his commitment to playing at the highest level of European football.
CANCELO LEAVING AL-HILAL FOR BARCELONA… 🔵💰
Two-year deal at under €10M. Tax details the only thing left. He’s taking a massive pay cut to make it happen — and he’s about to tell Al-Hilal he’s not staying, per @sport https://t.co/urdluGvG0R
— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol)
July 07, 2026
Al-Hilal’s Managerial Changes
Cancelo’s departure from Al-Hilal comes amid some pretty significant changes at the club. The Saudi Arabian team recently parted ways with manager Jorge Jesus, due to some lackluster performances. Mohammed Al-Shalhoub has stepped in as interim manager, with the club looking at high-profile candidates like Carlo Ancelotti for the permanent role. This managerial shake-up really reflects Al-Hilal’s ambition to boost their global standing and competitiveness.
Barcelona’s Strategic Acquisition
For Barcelona, Cancelo’s return is a smart move to strengthen their squad. The two-year deal, valued under €10 million showcases the club’s ability to work around financial constraints while adding real depth to the squad. Cancelo’s versatility on either flank will be a valuable asset for the Catalan giants. His decision to take a pay cut shows just how much he wants to make a meaningful contribution at Barcelona, and help them in their pursuit of domestic and European success in the coming seasons.
