Barcelona financial issues forces Man City to accept Saudi bid for wantaway star

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo. 

The 29-year-old has spent the last season and a half on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, following his fallout with Pep Guardiola. He was at Barcelona throughout last season and shone for the Blaugrana.

He desires a return to the club, and the Blaugrana are reportedly keen to sign him; however, financial constraints have limited their movement this summer; hence, they ruled out a move for the Portuguese. 

Although Pep Guardiola has stated that if he stays beyond the summer, he will be reintegrated into the side, Cancelo’s representatives, as have City, have been working on other solutions. Enter Al Hilal. 

The Saudi side have initiated contacts for the acquisition of the former Juventus defender since the start of the transfer window; however, the player's desire to seal a return to Barcelona prevented a move from happening. 

With the Blaugrana option believed to have disappeared, Al-Hilal re-entered the race, and according to Fabrizio Romano, they have had a €25 million package agreed in principle. 

However, they are yet to reach an agreement on personal terms with the player and are waiting to hear his response to their €15 million per annum net salary offer.