Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly advancing talks over a loan deal for Joao Felix, with the two clubs likely to finalise a loan fee of €7-8 million.
According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Joao Felix is closing in on joining Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid over a loan deal for the Portuguese international. And the Blaugrana will likely shell out a fee of €7-8 million to secure his services.
Joao Felix was one of the best young prospects in the world when he broke out at Benfica over half a decade ago. And several high-profile clubs were clamouring for his signature before Atletico Madrid paid €126 million to secure his services. But the deal has not worked for either party, with the 23-year-old arguably regressing in the last two seasons.
A loan move to Chelsea did not work out either, and he made little to no mark at Stamford Bridge. Now back at Atletico Madrid, Felix does not have a future at Civitas Metropolitano and was an unused substitute in Los Rojiblancos’ season-opening La Liga fixture. But his stock remains high, with Barcelona keen on signing him.
Reports last month claimed that Barcelona had sealed the agreement to secure Felix’s services. But those suggestions seem wide of the mark, with the Blaugrana yet to bring him to the club. That has not dampened Barcelona’s spirits. And after failing to re-sign Neymar, they have set their sights on the Atletico Madrid outcast.
Felix’s situation at Atletico Madrid means Los Rojiblancos cannot hope to recoup anything close to the €126 million they paid to sign him four years ago. And the Portuguese international will join Barcelona on loan instead of a permanent transfer. The deal will also help the Catalan giants amid their never-ending financial issues.
The report claims that Barcelona will likely shell out a loan fee of €7-8 million to sign the 23-year-old. And talks between the Blaugrana and Atletico Madrid have advanced, thus bringing the player close to the Catalan club. The latest update comes in the wake of suggestions that Atletico Madrid did not want him to join Barcelona.
Meanwhile, recent reports have claimed that Felix wants to terminate his Atletico Madrid contract. But the Colchoneros are not ready to adhere to his desire and will demand €350 million for that to become a reality. Nonetheless, a loan move to Barcelona is seemingly on the cards for the Portuguese international.