Saudi Arabian club in talks with Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo as Barcelona move fades | OneFootball

It had been widely expected that Joao Cancelo would return to Barcelona this summer, but with eight days left in the transfer window, it is looking increasingly unlikely.

The Manchester City full-back had been rejecting all advances for him in hope of a return to Catalonia, something he voiced a desire for. Equally, Barcelona had publicly declared their intentions to re-sign Cancelo.

Yet this week the player profiles of Joao Felix and Cancelo, which curiously had been maintained after their loan deals expired, were deleted from Barcelona’s website. Felix has signed for Chelsea, and now Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are in talks with City and Cancelo’s agents – they have already submitted a formal offer for the 30-year-old.

Meanwhile City Report say an agreement has already been found, and Manchester City will make €41m on the Portuguese international.

Presumably this has happened because Cancelo is now open to a move to the Middle East. The most recent reporting from Barcelona is that they have almost discarded the idea of signing Cancelo again, due in part to concerns about his attitude. Equally, his large salary and shaky performances, as Barcelona struggle to register players, are understandably not a priority. If that is the case, this latest development would fit as a logical development.