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Barcelona announced the comeback of Joao Cancelo on loan until the end of the season, on Tuesday through its official social media channels and website. However, soon afterwards, the Catalan club deleted all traces of the posts, as the official statement was no longer present on their website and the celebratory tweets were removed from the timeline.
Surprising decision from Barcelona
Cancelo had been pictured putting pen to paper to seal his comeback at Barcelona, with the club announcing that he would wear the number 2 jersey in his new stint.
No official explanation from Barcelona
No explanation was given to the club as to why the posts were deleted but Mundo Deportivo has given clarity on what had actually happened. The Spanish outlet claimed that the decision to delete the announcement is because Barcelona are still finalizing the documentation needed for the completion of the deal.
The report also reported that Cancelo's signing was set for 1:00 pm and his presentation to the media for 1:30 pm, but it has now been postponed until 4:15.
Why were the posts related to Joao Cancelo's signing deleted?
It was said that a documentation asked by Al-Hilal was missing, and following more than two hours of delay, the LaLiga giants decided to reschedule the player's unveiling and are now waiting for a response from the Saudi Pro League club.
Amid the saga, sources in Barca have reduced the fears, assuring that the deal has been locked and that it is only a matter of time before the paperwork to finalize the transfer arrives.
Joao Cancelo's second stint at Barcelona
Should the deal be finalized, it will mark Cancelo's second loan stint at Barcelona having spent the entire 2023-24 campaign on a temporary stint at the club. During that period, he amassed four goals and four assists in 42 games across all competitions.
Barcelona confirm Cancelo passes medical
While Cancelo remains an Al-Hilal player, Barca confirmed the player arrived at the club on Monday and passed the mandatory medical and physical testst the same day.
A club statement read:
“João Cancelo arrived in Barcelona at lunchtime on Monday. The Portuguese full back, still an Al Hilal Saudi FC player, passed the relevant medical and physical tests at Barcelona Hospital with the with signing to make him a blaugrana to come on Tuesday.
“The signing is planned for 1pm CET, at the office of the FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta. From 1.30pm CET the player will appear before the press in the Sala Comercial.”
Cancelo's return will see him give competition to Jules Kounde at right-back in Hansi Flick's squad.
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