Joao Felix is currently among the players reportedly courted by FC Barcelona as they look to bolster their attacking department.
According to El Gol Digital, FC Barcelona are open to a move for Joao Felix this summer. It appears the Catalans are desperate to add reinforcements in the wide attacking department, with their search leading them to multiple talented attackers, including the Atletico Madrid superstar.
It is believed that Barcelona value Felix highly because of his limitless potential and the experience he has racked in Spanish football, having almost spent two seasons at Atletico – making a total of 70 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Felix’s progress, however, has been stifled to an extent due to Diego Simeone’s tactical philosophy that emphasises defensive solidity and robust style of play rather than the demand for the more technical nature of the young Portuguese. As such, he has netted only 19 goals during his 70 appearances with the club.
That figure could exponentially increase should the 21-year-old make the move to Barcelona in the summer. The Blaugrana have enjoyed a steady sporting growth in 2021, barring a Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, with Ronald Koeman seemingly willing to revolve his team around young players like Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.
In the new season, Barcelona are expected to undergo more changes, especially with Philippe Coutinho being linked with a return to the Premier League while talks with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract have stalled.
The addition of Joao Felix, in that regard, could be a welcome addition to the side, knowing his technical prowess and dynamism that could go hand in hand with the club’s attacking brand of football. It should also help him settle in quickly alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Pedri, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati.
However, one major stumbling block for FC Barcelona in their pursuit of Felix is the rather hefty price-tag the player is likely to attract, having initially joined Atletico for a fee of €120 million. It doesn’t bode well for Barcelona, who have already overpaid for a bunch of football over the past few years ago and may ultimately drive the club into further debt.
That said, it will be interesting to see whether or not Barcelona can recoup some of their transfer revenue by offloading unwanted players. Coutinho’s departure, for one, could serve as a major financial boost for the Catalans this summer.
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As for the club’s desire to bolster the attacking department, it appears Dani Olmo has been identified as a potential cost-effective alternative, although they could face stiff competition from arch-rivals Real Madrid.
