Hansi Flick makes decision on Joao Cancelo’s future at Barcelona
The defender has made an impact since arriving on loan.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 15: Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish league, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on March 15, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images Hansi Flick was full of praise for Joao Cancelo in the wake of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecan o in La Liga at the Camp Nou. According to Diario Sport, Flick has also already decided that he’d like to keep the Portugal international past the end of the campaign when his loan deal with the club expires.
Barcelona will now have to reach an agreement with Al-Hilal as Cancelo still has one year left on his contract with the Saudi Pro League club. The Catalans are hoping that a way can be found to sign Cancelo on a free transfer and also want him to fit in with their salary structure, meaning he may have to take a hefty cut on his Saudi wages. If an agreement can be found, Sport say that Barcelona are willing to offer the 31-year-old a two-year contract at Camp Nou and think it would be a good bit of business.
Cancelo has always made his love for Barcelona clear and surely will be hoping to stay, while Deco’s recent comments about the defender also suggest he could be set to continue. “We have made efforts to sign Cancelo because he has shown time and time again that he’s a crazy Barca fan,” he told reporters. “That is a rare feeling nowadays in players, and we are trying to bring it back.
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