Optimism is growing inside Inter Milan over a potential deal for Joao Cancelo, with Italian media suggesting the gap between Milan and Riyadh has never felt smaller.According to La Gazzetta dello Spor...
Optimism is growing inside Inter Milan over a potential deal for Joao Cancelo, with Italian media suggesting the gap between Milan and Riyadh has never felt smaller.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cancelo’s situation at Al-Hilal has reached a breaking point.
The Portuguese international has been left out of both domestic and continental squads and is now waiting to define his next move.
His departure from Saudi Arabia is considered inevitable, regardless of whether Inter secure his signature.
Balance Tilts In Inter Milan Favour For Cancelo Pursuit
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JULY 04: Joao Cancelo #20 of Al Hilal reacts following a moments silence in memory of former football player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who passed away on the 3rd of July 2025 prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter final match between Fluminense FC and Al Hilal at Camping World Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Two decisive factors are now tilting the balance in Inter’s favour.
The first involves Simone Inzaghi.
Last summer, Inter allowed the coach to leave on a free transfer despite having a year remaining on his contract.
The Nerazzurri could have demanded compensation, but chose not to. That decision has not been forgotten, and Inter now expect Al-Hilal to return the gesture during negotiations for Cancelo.
The second, and more complex, issue is financial.
Cancelo earns around €15m net per season, a figure far beyond Inter’s wage structure.
To bridge that gap, Al-Hilal are willing to cover at least 60% of his remaining salary.
Therefore making a short-term loan viable.
That scenario could also open the door to a parallel deal.
Al-Hilal are monitoring Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij, but would need to free up a foreign-player slot before completing any move.
Inter believe the pieces are finally aligning, and that the Cancelo operation can be wrapped up sooner rather than later.
Category: General Sports
