Cancelo exit talk accelerates as Inter make first concrete move
João Cancelo could be on the move again this January, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the Portuguese full-back is set to leave Al Hilal during the winter window.
According to Romano, Inter have approached Cancelo’s camp to understand the conditions for a potential loan deal, as they look to add a new right wing-back. Barcelona and Juventus have also made contact in recent days to request information, with all parties now waiting for Al Hilal’s final feedback.
Why the “Jorge Mendes factor” matters in this race
Cancelo is represented by Gestifute, the agency led by Jorge Mendes, a name that routinely sits at the center of Europe’s biggest negotiation tables. In a multi-club situation like this, that matters: the same camp can hold parallel conversations, map out the sporting plan club-by-club, and move quickly once Al Hilal’s position is clarified.
And because Inter, Barcelona and Juventus are all familiar environments for Cancelo, the “adaptation risk” is minimal – the decision becomes about role, minutes, and financial structure.
Across the three squads, Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute represents Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal at Barcelona (2) and Francisco Conceição at Juventus (1), while Inter have no Gestifute-represented players (0).
The Inter angle – a ready-made wing-back solution
Inter’s interest is the most advanced part of the story so far, with Romano describing their approach as specifically aimed at loan conditions. From a tactical point of view, Cancelo fits naturally in a wing-back role: he can give width, progression, and final-third delivery, while also offering flexibility to play as a more traditional right-back if required.
Barcelona and Juventus – familiar options, but the deal has to work
Barcelona and Juventus both know Cancelo well from recent years, and both have now asked for deal details as they monitor the situation. If the opportunity becomes real, the key question for both clubs is structure: whether Al Hilal are open to a true short-term loan, and how the wage package would be handled across the season.
Cancelo’s current situation at Al Hilal
Cancelo joined Al Hilal in August 2024, and his current contract is listed as running until 30 June 2027. That contract length is important because it strengthens Al Hilal’s leverage – any January move likely needs Al Hilal to actively agree to a temporary exit and settle the salary mechanics.
A career built for big stages – and a January story to watch
At 31, Cancelo remains one of the most experienced elite full-backs of his generation, with a CV that includes top-level football across major leagues and high-pressure dressing rooms – including prior spells at Inter, Juventus and Barcelona.
For now, this is still a developing transfer story. The next “tell” will be Al Hilal’s response: once their stance is communicated, the race between Inter, Barcelona, and Juventus can turn from information-gathering into a real negotiation – with Jorge Mendes and Gestifute right at the center of the talks.
