Hansi Flick says the club “need another player” in defence and is “confident” mid-season signing can happen
Barcelona are exploring a January move for Al-Hilal defender Joao Cancelo.
The Portugal international moved to Saudi Arabia in 2024 and has a contract with the club until 2027. However, he is reportedly open to the idea of returning to Europe.
Barcelona are light in defensive areas, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming this week that the club need a January signing.
“When you look at our back line, with centre-backs and full-backs, we need another player,” Flick said. “But we have to talk about it, and it’s difficult to bring in a quality player in the winter transfer window. I’m confident we can do something, but it has to make sense.”
Andreas Christensen is out for a long spell after suffering a cruciate injury in December. Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are the current centre-back pairing, with Flick’s only other option being Ronald Araujo, who has struggled for form and will need to regain some match fitness after taking a break towards the end of last year to take care of his mental health.
Signing Cancelo will reportedly allow Jules Kounde, currently playing as a right-back, to move to the centre-back positions.
Cancelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Barcelona. He made 42 appearances for the club, scoring four goals, before moving to Saudi Arabia that summer.
