Full financial details of Barcelona's first January signing - Salary, fee and more | Barca Universal

"Joao Cancelo's return to Barcelona is now edging closer to completion. The Portuguese full-back has made it clear that his priority is to wear the Blaugrana shirt once again, and his determination has played a decisive role in pushing this deal over the line. From Barcelona's perspective, this operation was never going to be straightforward. The club simply did not have the financial room to pay a transfer fee or take on Cancelo's full salary through a conventional loan."

"As a result, negotiations depended heavily on the player's willingness to compromise and actively help unblock the situation. Cancelo did exactly that, making his intentions known and driving the process forward from the start. The timing has also worked in Barça's favour. With Andreas Christensen sidelined due to a long-term injury, Barcelona have been allowed to use 80% of the Danish defender's salary to register a replacement."

"On the other side of the deal, Al-Hilal showed flexibility. Due to the Saudi league's limit on foreign players, the club was open to letting Cancelo leave without demanding a transfer fee. As such, Barcelona's proposal would cover around €5 million gross. This figure was considered acceptable in Saudi Arabia, even though Al-Hilal were initially believed to be seeking around 60% of the player's salary."

Joao Cancelo prioritised a return to Barcelona and actively pushed negotiations by agreeing to significant compromises. Barcelona lacked the financial room to pay a transfer fee or cover his full salary, so the move depended on the player's concessions. Andreas Christensen's long-term injury allowed Barcelona to use 80% of the Danish defender's salary capacity to register a replacement. Al-Hilal accepted flexibility because of the Saudi league's foreign-player limit and did not demand a transfer fee, with Barcelona proposing around €5 million gross. Cancelo will take home close to €3 million net for the remainder of the campaign, a pay cut exceeding 50%; Inter Milan had offered about €3.5 million net but Cancelo preferred Barcelona.

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