Barcelona expected to complete move to sign Portuguese international in the coming days
· Yahoo Sports
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Although Barcelona have beefed up their creative department considerably through the signings of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, the club are still yet to shore up their defence.
While a signing of a centre-back was on the agenda earlier, it appears the club are happy to simply use the existing options.
However, the Catalans are still expected to make a key defensive acquisition now in the form of Joao Cancelo.
Cancelo move to be completed in a few days
Cancelo’s permanent move to Barcelona only a matter of time. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
According to Diario SPORT, Barcelona hope to finalise Cancelo’s arrival on a two-year deal in the coming days, allowing him to join up with the squad as soon as possible.
The path to an agreement with Al Hilal is said to be well advanced, and a salary agreement with the player himself was in place as far back as the end of last season.
It has been the fiscal details of the operation that have delayed a deal that was a clear priority for both Hansi Flick and Deco.
Cancelo is currently training alone with Al Hilal’s permission, as the Saudi club no longer count on him.
They consider him transferable and have already signed Mohammed Mahzari as a replacement, investing almost €8 million. Al Hilal are keen to recoup part of their own outlay, with the transfer likely to be concluded at around €10 million.
How will Cancelo fit in at Barcelona?
Cancelo set to return to Barcelona. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Cancelo’s versatility is precisely what makes him such an appealing addition for Flick.
The Portuguese would ideally provide a strong option at right-back, where Flick wants him to compete with Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia for a starting berth.
His arrival could also prompt the departure of homegrown full-backs, with Jofre Torrents fielding several offers and the futures of Hector Fort and Xavi Espart still to be decided.
Cancelo can also operate on the left, having impressed as an alternative to Alejandro Balde last season.
He took over the starting spot on that flank at times, delivering some excellent performances and finishing as one of the team’s leading assist providers in the second half of the campaign.
That adaptability, coupled with his attacking quality, made him a seamless fit for Flick’s system, and Barcelona are now closing in on making the reunion permanent.