Returning to Atlético de Madrid after his loan to Chelsea last season, Joao Felix proclaimed his love for Barça on Tuesday in statements made to the mercato journalist Fabrizio Romano. According to him, the Catalan club would like to sign the Portuguese striker, but the financial aspect could block.
Revelations with evocative timing. Atlético de Madrid striker João Félix revealed on Tuesday that he dreamed of playing … at Barça. Starting his pre-season with the Colchoneros, the Portuguese international (30 caps – 5 goals) revealed to journalist Fabrizio Romano his desires elsewhere.
“Barcelona has always been my first choice and I would love to join Barça, he assured. It has always been my dream since I was a child. If it happens, it’s a dream that will come true.” This is the first time that Joao Felix has spoken so frontally of his desire to join the Catalan giant, even though the Catalan press has often echoed the player’s desire to join Barça.
Laporta likes it
After these declarations, the local radio Cope ensures for its part that almost all the lights are green for his arrival on the Camp Nou side: Joan Laporta would dream of recruiting him, Jorge Mendes would like to see his client become Blaugrana, Laporta and Mendes maintain a very good relationship and therefore Joao Felix is pushing hard to come. The only downside: the financial question, between difficulties to register it within its payroll and to find the funds to pay compensation.
In 2022, Joan Laporta had already proclaimed his admiration for the 23-year-old: “I like João Félix a lot! His representative (Jorge Mendes) knows it and I even told Atletico Madrid that he was an excellent player.” In addition, the leader had announced that the priorities of the Barcelona transfer window were: “a side and two midfielders”. And he didn’t talk about an attacker.
The Portuguese striker, who joined Atlético de Madrid for over €120million in July 2019, never adapted to the discipline of Diego Simeone and, after a six-month loan spell at Chelsea, is now reportedly looking a new base to relaunch his career, advance Sport.
Atlético “hallucinated” in the face of these statements
However, his departure will not be easy. He is by far the most expensive signing in the history of Atlético de Madrid and, if he were to leave in the form of a transfer, the sum would be in the tens of millions. He has lost value due to his lack of playing time in the Spanish capital and his unsatisfactory London experience, but he remains a young player with great potential.
Sport ensures that the formula of a loan would be the most likely for a hypothetical exit. According Mundo DeportivoAtlético de Madrid “hallucinated” when they discovered the player’s press release, even if the rojiblancos leaders would seek to get rid of a player whose attitude and contractual situation would pose a problem.