João Cancelo is excluded from all Saudi competition lists, opening the door for a swift return to San Siro as Inter and Al-Hilal move closer to an agreement
The break between João Cancelo and Al-Hilal now appears definitive. The Portuguese defender has been left out not only of the Saudi Pro League list, but also of Al-Hilal’s squad for the AFC Champions League — a clear signal that his time in Riyadh is over.
With Cancelo officially sidelined from all competitions, Inter sense the opportunity to close the deal quickly and bring the former Nerazzurri back to San Siro.
Why Inter Can Move Fast
The path from Riyadh to Milan has never looked shorter. Cancelo is expected to leave Saudi Arabia in the coming days, and Inter are confident that the “white smoke” could arrive soon — helped by the strong relationship built between the two clubs last summer.
A key figure in the background is Simone Inzaghi. Inter allowed Inzaghi to leave for Al-Hilal on a free transfer despite him having one year left on his contract. That gesture has not been forgotten in Saudi Arabia, and Inter now expect cooperation in return.
The Salary Puzzle — And the Acerbi Factor
The main obstacle remains Cancelo’s salary, worth around €15 million net per season — well beyond Inter’s wage structure. To make the deal possible, Al-Hilal are prepared to cover at least 60% of his salary for the remainder of the season.
A creative solution could further ease the operation. Inzaghi is reportedly keen to add a center-back and has identified Francesco Acerbi as his preferred option, ahead of Stefan de Vrij. A move involving one of Inter’s defenders would free up salary space, effectively redirecting resources toward Cancelo’s arrival.
However, Al-Hilal must first clear room on their foreign-player list, which is currently full. To register a new signing, they would need to offload another non-domestic player — a step that could slightly delay, but not derail, the operation.
Barcelona the Only Threat
The only real competition comes from Barcelona, a destination Cancelo would welcome. For now, though, Barça have other priorities and remain constrained by financial fair play.
Inter, by contrast, can offer something crucial: guaranteed playing time. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Cancelo wants minutes at the highest level — and a return to Serie A would provide exactly that.
Eight years after his first spell in Milan, where he played 28 matches in the 2017–18 season and helped secure Champions League qualification, Cancelo is closer than ever to a second chapter in black and blue.
Now that Al-Hilal have effectively shut the door, Inter are ready to open theirs.
