New Inter Full-Back Target Emerges After Joao Cancelo Agrees Barcelona Move
Inter must quickly get over Cancelo's snub.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 06 January 2026
Inter have reportedly switched their attention to Fiorentina defender Dodo after Joao Cancelo agreed a move to Barcelona.
Cancelo has been pushing for a January move after falling out with Al-Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi.
Meanwhile, Inter have been on the lookout for reinforcements at full-back following Denzel Dumfries’ injury layoff.
Joao Cancelo snubs Inter for Barcelona
And though Inter and Al-Hilal had struck a verbal agreement for Cancelo, his first choice was always Barca.
Fabrizio Romano has declared “here we go” on Cancelo to Barcelona.
The Spanish giants will pay Al-Hilal €4m to take the Portuguese defender on loan until June.
And while Inter did have a deal in place with Al-Hilal, Cancelo only wanted Barca, Romano confirmed on social media.
🚨💙❤️ BREAKING: João Cancelo to Barcelona, here we go! Deal in place on loan until June.
Exclusive story confirmed as Barça will pay €4m as loan coverage to Al Hilal, as revealed today.
Despite Inter having deal in place with Al Hilal, João only wanted Barcelona. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Sy3CRMeIvT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2026
To make things worse, the deal between Barca and Al-Hilal was reached on the basis of what the Saudis had agreed with Inter.
Dodo emerges as Inter target
With Inter falling short in their pursuit of Cancelo, they will have to turn their attentions elsewhere.
According to Matteo Moretto, Fiorentina have been made aware that the Nerazzurri could come after Dodo.
“Napoli called before New Year’s Eve regarding Fiorentina’s Dodo,” Moretto began, as per FCInter1908.
“The news is that Fiorentina is aware that Inter could arrive and make themselves known in the next few days.
“There are no contacts, but it could be an idea worth considering.”
Dodo is reportedly keen on leaving Fiorentina this month, amid their struggles at the bottom of the Serie A table.
Speculation involving Inter and Dodo began doing the rounds in December.
However, with Cancelo now a no-go for Inter, things could accelerate between the Nerazzurri and Dodo.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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