"The return of Joao Cancelo to FC Barcelona is all but secured, with an agreement over a loan deal reached with his club, Al Hilal. The Blaugrana will re-sign the Portuguese international, who already spent the 2023/24 season on loan at the club, on a temporary deal once again until the end of the season. Cancelo's desire to return and acceptance of a salary cut were critical in the deal going through, with his arrival now seen as imminent."
"Now, according to SPORT, with the deal advanced, discussion has already begun over the shirt number Cancelo would wear at Barcelona. And, everything suggests that the Portuguese international will take the number 2 shirt - a familiar one for him, as it was the number he wore during his first spell at the club. Since his departure at the end of the 2023/24 season, the No. 2 shirt has remained vacant and has not been used by any other player."
"During his solitary season with the club, Cancelo made 42 appearances, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Of those matches, he played 24 as a left-back and 16 as a right-back, with the remaining appearances coming further forward on the right flank. Although a centre-back initially appeared to be the priority for Barcelona this month, the arrival of a right-back like Cancelo could allow Jules Kounde to be released from duties on that flank and strengthen the centre of defence"
Joao Cancelo will rejoin FC Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal until the end of the season. The Portuguese full-back already spent the 2023/24 season at Barcelona and agreed to a salary cut to facilitate the temporary move. Negotiations include shirt-number talks, with Cancelo expected to reclaim the vacant No. 2 he wore previously. Cancelo made 42 appearances last season for Barcelona, scoring four goals and providing five assists, covering left-back, right-back and more advanced right-flank roles. The arrival of a right-back of his profile could free Jules Kounde from right-sided defensive duties and strengthen Barcelona's centre-back options.
Read at Barca Universal
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