In an unexpected turn of events, former Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez has effectively acted as an “insider journalist,” confirming that João Cancelo is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Catalan giants.
The Spanish center-back, who departed Barça last summer to join Saudi side Al Nassr, revealed that he remains in close contact with his former teammates.
However, his latest scoop didn’t come from a locker room chat, but rather a neighborly conversation.
The “Neighbor” Scoop
Currently playing in the Saudi Pro League, Martínez admitted he has first-hand knowledge of Cancelo’s future plans due to their living situation.
“I live in the same neighborhood as João Cancelo. He personally told me that he is going to Barcelona,” Martínez stated. “He already proved his immense quality when we played together at Barça. His return will be a massive boost for the club.”
Out of Favor at Al Hilal
João Cancelo is currently registered with Al Hilal, but his situation in Riyadh has shifted drastically.
Following the arrival of coach Simone Inzaghi, the Portuguese international has reportedly fallen out of favor and is no longer considered a pillar of the club’s long-term project.
With the winter transfer window in full swing, an exit now appears inevitable.
A Familiar Face at the Barcelona
Cancelo is no stranger to the Blaugrana colors. He spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester City, following a brief stint at Bayern Munich.
During his time in Catalonia, he became a fan favorite thanks to his technical versatility and attacking threat from the flanks.
While the deal hasn’t received the official “Here We Go” from Fabrizio Romano just yet, a confirmation coming directly from a close friend and neighbor is about as reliable as it gets in the transfer market.
A “Win-Win” Departure
Martínez also touched upon his own exit from Barcelona last summer.
Though neither the player nor the club were desperate to part ways, the move to Al Nassr was described as a “win-win” scenario—allowing Barcelona to navigate their ongoing salary cap challenges while securing a lucrative deal for the veteran defender in Saudi Arabia.
Now, from thousands of miles away, Martínez has provided the clearest sign yet that the João Cancelo chapter at Barcelona is ready for its second volume.
