Joao Cancelo completes medical tests ahead of Barcelona unveiling

Cancelo landed in Barcelona on Monday, passed all physical and medical tests without issue and will put pen to paper on Tuesday in a signing scheduled at 13h00, followed by his presentation to the media.

The 31-year-old Portuguese full-back returns to the Catalan giants after a successful season on loan in 2023-24, when he played 42 matches and contributed four goals and five assists. Barca's sporting directors have moved quickly to seal the deal, which sees most of Cancelo's salary covered by Al Hilal and the club paying a fee - reported in media circles as around four million pounds for the loan arrangement - to bring him back.

Cancelo's return comes at a crucial time. Barcelona have been stretched defensively after centre-back Andreas Christensen suffered a significant knee injury, opening a spot under La Liga's salary regulations that made this loan possible.

Coach Hansi Flick had initially prioritised adding a central defender, but Cancelo's versatility made him an attractive option, offering cover on both right and left flanks.

For a Barcelona side still chasing honours on multiple fronts, bringing in a player of Cancelo's experience - comfortable on either side of defence, strong in possession and capable of making attacking contributions - adds tactical flexibility and depth. He knows the club's environment and expectations well, which means he should slot into the squad with minimal adaptation time.

The official announcement is expected once Barcelona return from their Spanish Super Cup commitments, but supporters can soon look forward to seeing Cancelo back in action at the Nou Camp - a move that underlines Barca's determination to strengthen intelligently this winter.