Joao Cancelo joins Barcelona on loan from Al‑Hilal amid fitness concerns

Joao Cancelo has rejoined Barcelona on loan from Al-Hilal, according to Goal, with the move recorded on January 13 after the full-back fell out of favour in Riyadh.

Al-Hilal paid Manchester City €25m for Cancelo just over 18 months ago and gave him a three-year contract reportedly worth €15m per year, but his spell in Saudi was marked by injuries and poor performances. New coach Simone Inzaghi abandoned reliance on the 31-year-old, and Cancelo had not featured in the Saudi Pro League since September; Al-Hilal will likely be relieved that Barcelona agreed to cover some of his salary. The outlet graded the transfer a D for Al-Hilal.

Barcelona view the loan as a stop-gap solution to defensive problems: Cancelo offers cover at right-back if Hansi Flick needs to move Jules Kounde centrally and can also play on the left, though there are worries about his fitness and a tendency to be caught out of position. The move was graded a C for Barcelona.

For Cancelo it is an unexpected return to top-level football after a spell that appeared to have stalled following his move to the Middle East and a failed permanent switch after his previous Barca loan. Aside from a couple of positive Portugal outings, he has done little since joining Al-Hilal, so the player will be relieved to be back in Catalunya, but whether he can recapture his best form remains uncertain; the transfer was graded an A for the player.

Key Topics

Sports, Joao Cancelo, Barcelona, Al-hilal, Hansi Flick, Simone Inzaghi