João Cancelo’s time in Saudi Arabia seems to be coming to an unexpected conclusion, with a return to Inter becoming a tangible possibility as they explore a six-month loan agreement.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Portuguese defender has faced a complete breakdown in his relationship with Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi, prompting his agent Jorge Mendes to actively seek out new opportunities in Europe.
Advertisement
The tension between Cancelo and Inzaghi reportedly escalated during a Saudi Super League match, where the 31-year-old reacted to a late substitution by hitting the bench and throwing objects. Following this incident, Cancelo has been largely sidelined, participating only in Asian Champions League matches. With Inter on the lookout for a quality replacement for the injured Denzel Dumfries, Cancelo has emerged as a prominent option for the January transfer window.
However, the potential transfer is contingent upon a complicated financial arrangement. Cancelo’s current salary is €15 million net per season, an amount that Inter cannot accommodate, even for a loan. For the deal to happen, Al-Hilal would need to agree to loan him out until June while covering a significant portion of his wages. If a suitable salary-sharing arrangement can be established, Cancelo could provide crucial support for manager Cristian Chivu as Inter aim to sustain their domestic success.
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN