Al-Hilal recalls Cancelo for pre-season as Barcelona resists paying high fee

Barcelona still wants to sign Cancelo, but Al-Hilal is blocking the deal, while the player is determined to join Barcelona.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Al-Hilal has instructed Cancelo to report for pre-season training following the World Cup, contingent on his participation. The club's management believes the Portuguese player still has one year remaining on his contract, with the sporting director to make a final decision after the pre-season period.

Cancelo has expressed his desire to leave through agent Jorge Mendes. Weeks ago, he stated he felt misled by Al-Hilal after the club failed to register him on the foreign player list, preventing him from competing in the Saudi Pro League. He sought a new team in the January transfer window to secure more playing time and prepare for the World Cup. Cancelo ultimately joined Barcelona on loan—a successful move that saw him become a key player under Hansi Flick and revitalize his career.

Barcelona has agreed terms with Cancelo for the next two seasons, and the player is willing to waive the remaining year of his Al-Hilal contract, which carries significant financial implications. In exchange, he hoped Al-Hilal would release him this summer, but the Saudi club has refused. Al-Hilal is demanding to recoup most of its investment in Cancelo, whom they signed from Manchester City for just over €20 million.

The transfer delay is also linked to uncertainty over Al-Hilal's sporting structure. Inzaghi appears set to remain as manager, though he originally did not plan to keep Cancelo—his current stance is unclear. The critical factor is Al-Hilal's imminent appointment of a new sporting director, who will determine the future of foreign players and oversee transfers. Al-Hilal has targeted Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, though this appointment remains unconfirmed.

Barcelona is prepared to wait for Cancelo until the final moments and is confident the deal can be completed. The club has engaged Mendes to facilitate the transfer, with the player committed to pushing for his departure. Cancelo remains Barcelona's top target to reinforce their full-back options, but the club will not pay an inflated fee.

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