Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that João Cancelo is set to return to the club on a short-term loan, backing up earlier reports and underlining the urgency behind the move. Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia, Flick explained why the Portuguese defender fits the club’s current needs.
His comments follow growing concerns over squad depth, especially in defence, a situation Flick openly addressed earlier this month, as reported by SoftFootball. Flick’s approval comes after Barcelona opened talks with Al-Hilal to bring Cancelo back to Camp Nou for six months, a deal that has now been agreed in principle.
The German coach stressed that flexibility was a major factor in the decision, particularly with injuries piling up. Flick pointed to Cancelo’s adaptability and experience at the top level in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Hansi Flick confirms exclusive story on João Cancelo set to join Barça.
Cancelo has a lot of quality. He’s a good option, 6 months and remember he can play on both flanks.
The move has been driven largely by Andreas Christensen’s serious injury, which left Barcelona light at the back. Flick admitted the club initially discussed signing a centre-back, but financial limits shaped the final call.
He acknowledged the reality Barcelona are facing in the market before stating clearly:
We talked about signing a center-back, but this is a good option for these six months… You know the situation better than I do. We are in a situation where we have to be smart in signings.
The club used the salary space created by Christensen’s absence to complete the loan, with Barcelona covering around €4 million of Cancelo’s wages.
Cancelo’s return also carries a personal angle. After a difficult spell at Al-Hilal, disrupted by injuries and limited minutes, the defender was keen on a familiar environment with the 2026 World Cup approaching. Despite interest from Inter Milan, his affection for Barcelona played a role.
He once stated:
I’m a Barca fan… I love Barca. I loved my time in Barca.
Tactically, Cancelo is expected to feature at right-back, which could allow Jules Koundé to move centrally, a position he prefers. With Ronald Araújo close to full fitness, a decision Flick has left largely to the player himself, Barcelona suddenly look more balanced.
