Barcelona told how much to pay to keep hold of Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal

Barcelona’s hopes of retaining Joao Cancelo beyond the current campaign have been given a price tag, with parent club Al-Hilal demanding €15 million to sanction a permanent departure for the Portugal full-back, according to local reports.

Cancelo, who is on his second loan spell at the Camp Nou, has impressed manager Hansi Flick, who has repeatedly praised the defender’s influence on the squad. The 30-year-old’s temporary deal is set to expire in the summer, and Barcelona had been exploring the possibility of securing his services on a free transfer once his contract with the Saudi Pro League side concludes.

However, Al-Hilal are under no pressure to release their asset without compensation. Cancelo still has one year remaining on his contract with the Riyadh-based club, and officials there view the €15 million fee as fair value for a player they signed to strengthen their own title ambitions. The stance complicates Barcelona’s financial planning, as the Catalans had been working under the assumption that a nominal or zero fee could be negotiated.

With the clock ticking toward the June 30 expiry of the loan, super-agent Jorge Mendes—who represents Cancelo—faces a multi-party negotiation to satisfy both the selling club and his client’s desire to remain in Spain. Cancelo has made no secret of his affection for Barcelona, telling confidants that he “loves playing for Barca,” a sentiment that strengthens the LaLiga side’s bargaining position emotionally, if not economically.

Barcelona’s sporting department must now weigh the cost against the on-field return. Since re-joining the club, Cancelo has provided attacking width from both flanks and contributed key passes that have turned tight matches in Barcelona’s favor. Whether that impact justifies a €15 million outlay at a time of strict budgetary scrutiny will dominate internal discussions over the coming weeks.

For the moment, Al-Hilal’s valuation stands firm, leaving Barcelona with a clear but expensive path to keep the Portuguese international in Catalonia next season.