Joao Felix is reportedly ready to lower his wages to join Barcelona, with Atletico Madrid demanding full coverage from his suitors.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Adrian Sanchez, Joao Felix remains the subject of interest from Barcelona. But the Catalan giants are struggling to fit into their books due to his high wages. However, the 23-year-old forward is willing to take a pay cut to join the Blaugrana from Atletico Madrid.
Joao Felix has not scaled the heights that fans and pundits envisioned since joining Atletico Madrid from Benfica four years ago. The Portuguese international was one of the best young prospects in his homeland when he broke out at Benfica. That compelled Los Rojiblancos to break the bank to secure his services in July 2019.
But it was clear from the get-go that the 23-year-old would not fit into Diego Simeone’s system. So, it is hardly surprising that Felix has an unremarkable tally of 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 appearances thus far for Atletico Madrid. And a loan stint with Chelsea did not work either, as he managed to find the back of the net only four times in 20 outings.
Now back at Atletico Madrid, Felix does not feature in Simeone’s plans and has yet to make an appearance this term. Hence, the player is desperate to depart from Civitas Metropolitano to resurrect his stuttering career. And he does not have a shortage of suitors, with recent reports linking him with Chelsea, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
But Felix will prefer to join Barcelona before the summer transfer window shuts down. And recent reports have claimed that the talks between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have advanced in the last few weeks. But the 23-year-old’s wages are a problem for the Blaugrana, who cannot fit him into the salary mass.
That said, Ansu Fati’s impending move to Brighton & Hove Albion might lower the wage bill at the Catalan club. In addition, Felix is ready to take a pay cut to join Barcelona from Atletico Madrid. But the Colchoneros want the Portuguese international’s next club to cover his entire salary.
It is unclear how Felix might fit into the scheme of things at FC Barcelona. But with Joan Laporta driving the move for the 23-year-old forward, an agreement ahead of Friday’s deadline might be on the cards. And it will be interesting to see if a deal sees the light of day.