Cancelo, 32, returned to the Camp Nou in January on loan from the Saudi club and quickly reclaimed the left-back position, forming part of the team that won the LaLiga title with a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in El ClĂĄsico. He played the full 90 minutes of that defining fixture and has been a regular starter ever since.
He carried that form into the World Cup. Cancelo has started both of Portugal's group stage matches and provided an assist in the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, as Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates delivered a statement performance in their second fixture.
The player's own position is unambiguous. He has made clear that he has no desire to return to Saudi Arabia and that Barcelona remain his preferred destination. Cancelo told reporters during the international break: "I like Barcelona a lot, but playing for Portugal is different."
Barcelona have been exploring various financial structures to secure a permanent agreement with Al Hilal, though negotiations have not yet reached a conclusion. The Saudi club initially set their asking price at around âŹ15 million, a figure expected to shift following talks led by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who is handling contracts for other key players this summer.
A complicating factor is the state of the relationship between Cancelo and his Saudi employers. Reports suggest it has broken down entirely, with the player stating the club failed to honour commitments made to him regarding his registration. The breakdown makes a return to Riyadh impossible in practice.
Flick values Cancelo's versatility. The defender has operated predominantly at left-back during the second half of the season, with Gerard MartĂn having moved into a role as a left-sided centre-back alongside Pau CubarsĂ. With both flanks needing cover, keeping Cancelo makes structural sense.
Barcelona have the player they want and the player wants to stay. The one remaining variable is an agreement between the two clubs.