Mercato: João Cancelo set for Saudi Arabia move

João Cancelo's departure to Saudi Arabia is becoming more concrete. FC Barcelona and Al Hilal have reached an agreement for the transfer of the Portuguese full-back. Only a few administrative formalities remain before the move becomes official.

A two-year deal has been finalized for João Cancelo's move to Saudi Arabia. He is set to sign a two-season contract with Al Hilal, with an option for a third year. The transfer fee is estimated at around €10 million.

Negotiations resumed after the World Cup

The Portuguese defender had requested that talks be put on hold during the international tournament to stay focused on his national team’s performance. However, Portugal national football team's early elimination allowed all parties to quickly resume negotiations and reach an agreement.

Just a few steps before the official announcement

While the main terms of the deal have already been agreed, some administrative details still need to be sorted out. These procedures typically take a bit longer for transfers involving Saudi clubs.

While waiting for the official confirmation, coach Hansi Flick hopes to be able to count on João Cancelo for the pre-season training camp in England, if the timetable for the formalities allows it.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.