Former Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo is set to return to Barcelona on loan from Al-Hilal until the end of the season. Cancelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan from City with Barcelona, having spent the previous six months with German side Bayern Munich. The following season, he permanently left Pep Guardiola's City side in a £21.2m move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. But after just one full campaign, the Portugal full-back is set to return to Europe having made just two league appearances for Al-Hilal this season. Barcelona play Racing de Santander in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, before visiting Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.

Source: BBC January 12, 2026 20:31 UTC