The Saudi club is willing to subsidize João Cancelo’s €15 million annual wages, making a return to San Siro increasingly realistic for the former Nerazzurri full-back
The financial obstacle that once seemed insurmountable is no longer the main issue. Al-Hilal are prepared to cover a significant portion of João Cancelo’s massive salary, and now Inter are waiting for just one thing: the player’s final approval.
Cancelo, currently under contract with Al-Hilal until 2027 on a deal worth around €15 million net per season plus bonuses, has already decided not to return to Saudi Arabia for the next six months. What remains unresolved is where he will resume his European career on the road to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Inter Move Ahead of Barcelona
Initially, after his fallout with Simone Inzaghi, Cancelo’s priority was Barcelona, a city he knows well from a previous, uneven spell. But Inter have entered the race decisively, exploiting Barcelona’s ongoing financial constraints and, crucially, securing Al-Hilal’s willingness to help structure the deal.
The Saudi champions, keen to resolve a tense situation in their locker room and remove a high-profile issue, are open to subsidizing Cancelo’s wages until June. Inter would pay a manageable portion — around €3 million net — while the remaining salary would still be covered by Al-Hilal. From the Nerazzurri perspective, that makes the operation not only possible, but strategically smart.
A Return to Where It All Began
For Cancelo, a return to Milan is more than nostalgia. San Siro is where his talent truly exploded during the 2017–18 season, and the idea of wearing black and blue again is becoming increasingly appealing. Inter’s determination has not gone unnoticed by the player or his entourage, especially when compared to Barcelona’s more cautious approach.
Time, however, is a critical factor. Inter are eager to close the deal quickly to avoid competition from other European giants and to immediately address the gap on the right flank caused by Denzel Dumfries’s injury. The club would like Cancelo in training at Appiano Gentile within days, with a key showdown against Napoli looming on January 11.
Mendes at the Center of Talks
Negotiations are being coordinated by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has maintained constant contact with Inter executives Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio. Mendes, who has managed Cancelo since his Benfica days, is pushing for a project that shows genuine trust in the player after his exclusion from Al-Hilal’s 2026 squad list.
From Inter’s point of view, the structure of the deal is clear and feasible. Everything now hinges on Cancelo’s final decision — expected in the coming days. If the answer is yes, San Siro could soon welcome back a familiar face, ready for a second chapter in Nerazzurri colors.
