“Barcelona and Al-Hilal are fighting over the price of Cancelo.”

The dispute between Barcelona and Al-Hilal over João Cancelo’s future is set to reach new levels of tension, in a saga that promises to leave no one indifferent. The Portuguese player, who joined the Catalans on loan in January, has an uncertain future, and the battle over his price may set the tone for negotiations.

Al-Hilal, the Saudi club that holds Cancelo’s rights, is determined not to yield to Barcelona’s pressure. The contract of the full-back, which includes a purchase option set at €15 million, has been the subject of controversy. Arab media sources report that while Barca officials are attempting to negotiate a reduction of that amount, Al-Hilal refuses to budge from their initial valuation.

“We have no intention of lowering the price we set for Cancelo,” assert the Al-Hilal executives, emphasizing their firm stance regarding one of their most valuable players. With Cancelo turning 32 in May, Barcelona’s management believes the requested amount is excessive, especially considering the player’s age. However, the Catalans plan to use the player’s desire to remain in Barcelona as a strategy to try to turn the situation in their favor.

The pressure is high and time is short, as João Cancelo’s future could be decided in the coming weeks. Barcelona, which is already undergoing a period of restructuring and financial challenges, sees retaining the full-back as a priority, while Al-Hilal, in turn, is betting on the player’s appreciation to ensure a significant financial return.

The next stages of this negotiation promise to be intense, with both parties firm in their positions. What is at stake is not just a player, but the very competitive future of one of the most iconic clubs in Europe. The outcome of this dispute could shape the landscape of football, both in Spain and in Saudi Arabia.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.