Joao Cancelo set for permanent return to Barcelona

Barcelona are pushing on with their summer recruitment and, amid the attention around other high-profile targets, Joao Cancelo now appears set for a return to Camp Nou on a permanent deal.

Barcelona continue to reshape their squad

The Catalan club remain active in the market as they look to add further quality ahead of the new season. The source material says the arrivals of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have not ended Joan Laporta's search for more reinforcements, while Barcelona have also continued to pursue Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid and Rodri of Manchester City.

Those pursuits, however, have not been straightforward. With complications surrounding both deals, Laporta and sporting director Deco have also been working on alternatives in other areas of the squad. That has brought Cancelo back into focus.

Cancelo's return now looks close

The Portugal international spent the spring half of the season with Barcelona, making 16 appearances across all competitions. In that spell, he contributed two goals and three assists while on loan from Al Hilal.

Although the Saudi club are said to have wanted to keep him, the source indicates that all signs point towards Cancelo returning to Barcelona on a definitive basis. According to information attributed to Matteo Moretto of Marca, the move is already considered settled and could be completed within the next few days.

The same report adds that the player was expected to terminate his contract with Al Hilal by mutual agreement, clearing the way for the transfer.

A familiar face at Camp Nou

If the move is completed, it would mark Cancelo's third spell with Barcelona. He has already joined the club on loan twice before.

Before the most recent temporary move in January 2026, he had also arrived from Manchester City in September 2023. During that earlier stint, he played a full season for Barcelona, featuring in 32 matches and recording two goals and four assists.

Competition on the left side

A permanent return would add experience and versatility to Barcelona's defensive options, but it would not guarantee Cancelo an automatic place in the side. The source notes that he would have to compete with Alejandro Balde for a spot in the starting XI.

For Barcelona, the significance of the deal lies in its timing as much as the player himself. While bigger transfer sagas continue to dominate the headlines, the club appear close to securing a footballer they know well and who has already shown he can contribute in their system.

• Cancelo spent the spring half of the season on loan at Barcelona from Al Hilal.
• He made 16 appearances in that spell, with two goals and three assists.
• He previously had another Barcelona loan spell after joining from Manchester City in September 2023.
• In that earlier season, he played 32 matches and registered two goals and four assists.