João Cancelo will be deciding his future soon, as talks are taking place with agent Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese defender looks set to leave Al Hilal in the January 2026 transfer window after a tough time in Saudi Arabia.
Cancelo joined Al Hilal in 2024 from Manchester City. He started well but fell out of favour under coach Simone Inzaghi. Reports say he played only a few games this season due to injury and squad choices.
Al Hilal left him off the list for the second half of the domestic league. That means he needs a move to get regular play ahead of the 2026 World Cup with Portugal.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, works hard on options. Mendes offered Cancelo to several big clubs. Inter Milan leads the race right now. They talk directly with Al Hilal about a loan deal.
Inter wants Cancelo to cover injuries in the right wing-back spot. Al Hilal might pay most of his high salary to make it work. Inter hopes to have him ready for key games soon.
Barcelona showed early interest. Cancelo spent a loan season there in 2023-24 and enjoyed it. He often said he would like to go back. But the club cooled off quickly. Coach Hansi Flick sees it as a closed chapter. Financial rules and other priorities stop them from pushing forward.
Juventus also asked about conditions. They like the idea of bringing him back to Serie A. But salary remains a big issue everywhere. Cancelo earns a lot in Saudi Arabia, so any move needs cuts or help from Al Hilal.
During talks with Inter, Al Hilal mentioned interest in two of their defenders, Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij. Inzaghi knows both from his time at Inter. No firm moves there yet, but it opens wider discussions between the clubs.
Cancelo turns 32 soon. He wants European football to stay sharp for Portugal. National team spots depend on club minutes. He played for big teams like Manchester City, Juventus, and Bayern Munich before.
Premier League sides watch too. But Italian clubs seem closest right now. Inter pushed hardest for a quick deal.
Fans debate his fit. Some see him as a top fullback with attacking skills. Others worry about his form after limited play.
As the window opened on January 1, things moved fast. Mendes keeps options open. Cancelo waits to pick the best path.
This story shows how quickly situations change. A year ago, Saudi looked like a new chapter. Now Europe calls again.
Clubs balance money and needs. Cancelo balances ambition and security. Updates come daily in January. His choice could shape defences in Serie A or beyond. For now, talks continue. A decision feels close.
