According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona wants to sign Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal, but only through another loan or a very low transfer fee.
Al Hilal demands €15 million for the Portuguese defender, a figure the Barcelona is hesitant to pay. Barcelona prefers another loan or a move with very little financial burden for the 31-year-old.
Al Hilal on the other hand, has expressed interest in Barcelona’s teenage midfielder Marc Casado, which Barcelona can potentially use as a lever to force a deal.
However, a straight swap deal would be bad business for Barcelona given Casado’s potential. This creates a critical crossroads for Deco and Hansi Flick. They must decide if a permanent move for Cancelo is a wise investment or a tactical trap, especially with former La Masia graduate Alejandro Grimaldo now appearing on the market for a similar price.
Cancelo gamble: Genius vs. reliability
Joao Cancelo is essentially a world-class creator who just happens to be a fullback. His knack for inverting in forward spaces and generating numerical overloads is something nobody else in the current squad can replicate. But let's be honest, the defensive baggage is something that's hard to ignore.
The data from this current campaign tells a split story. While he’s still one of the best fullbacks when it comes to progressive passes and successful dribbles, his positional IQ often leaves the centre-backs isolate.
We’ve seen a recurring pattern from Cancelo, especially in high-stakes matches where he "ghosts" or commits tactical lapses that put the Barcelona is massive disadvantage.
In Hansi Flick’s highline system, positional awareness is key. Any lapses in positional discipline and intensity are lethal for the system. Also, investing €15 million in a 31-year-old with Barcelona’s dire financial situation, feels like a wrong move.
Then there’s the Al Hilal factor, they’re sniffing around Marc Casado. Using a high potential talent like Casado as a swap deal for an aging fullback would be a disastrous decision. Barcelona can’t afford to trade someone like Casado for a short-term fix.
Grimaldo return: A tactical "homecoming"
Alejandro Grimaldo feels like the more balanced, "grown-up" choice. At 30, he’s in the sweet spot of his physical prime and, perhaps more importantly, he has the La Masia DNA already baked into his game.
What he’s doing at Bayer Leverkusen right now is nothing short of historic. He gives you that elite set-piece delivery and consistent crossing that Flick’s system craves, but he does it without sacrificing much on the integrity of the backline.
With Leverkusen reportedly willing to listen to offers below €12 million to avoid a free exit in 2027, the value is undeniable.
Grimaldo brings three things Cancelo doesn't:
- Grimaldo’s stats from the 2025/2026 season is impressive. He has scored 14 goals and 10 assists hitting from the left-wingback position.
- He perfectly fits Flick’s demand for high-intensity wing-backs who actually track back.
- Grimaldo has been the model of consistency in the Bundesliga's biggest pressure cookers, rarely showing the erratic "lapses" we see from Barcelona players.
The statistrics prove that he is a superior offensive weapon, and also someone who actually understands the defensive responsibilities of a highline.
The verdict
Barcelona needs to overhaul the squad in multiple positions this summer, and with their finances still lacking, spending €15 million on a player whose market value will effectively vanish in a year or two is a losing game.
In my opinion, Grimaldo represents far better value than Cancelo. Juventus and AC Milan are also showing interest in the possibility of signing Grimaldo. So, sporting director Deco needs to move quickly.
However, Cancelo’s versatility is something that cannot be ignored. He can play in either of the defensive flanks and in multiple positions.
My recommendation is simple: walk away from the permanent Cancelo deal. Al Hilal’s demands just don’t align with his age or his defensive inconsistency. If Barcelona are able to secure another loan move for Cancelo, then this might be a good deal. But, prioritizing Grimaldo isn't just a "Plan B"; it’s the smarter, more reliable way to evolve the squad for the Flick era.
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