This summer, in the final moments of the transfer window, FC Barcelona announced the arrival on loan of João Félix from Atlético de Madrid. The Portuguese international, bought for 120 million by the Colchoneros, never managed to flourish in Diego Simeone’s football and was therefore looking for a way out. His loan with Chelsea had not been conclusive and this summer, he absolutely did not want to stay in Madrid where he was also left out of the group by his coach. Finally, after waiting, João Félix joined Barça on loan necessarily, the Catalan club being unable to permanently afford the Portuguese given his price.
Since his arrival in Catalonia, João Félix has had a blast. Author of 4 goals and 3 assists in 15 matches this season, the former jewel of Benfica is finding color and seems to correspond to Barça’s game. More available, less lonely, he stands out in particular for his technical quality, which is very above average. And obviously, FC Barcelona hopes to keep the player at the end of his loan. Problem, Atlético de Madrid, who paid a fortune for him, will not sell him off at all. And we must therefore find common ground whereas at the start of the season, the sum of 85 million was mentioned in this matter. A sum far too large for Barça, still in great financial difficulty.
A new loan and forcing from João Félix?
But the club’s financial concerns do not seem to discourage management in this matter. According to information from Sport, the Blaugranas have been racking their brains for several months to try to find a solution. And she may have been found. Even if Atlético de Madrid would finally agree to let go of João Félix for 65 million, Barça is unable to align and will therefore offer something else. According to the Catalan media, Barça has the idea of extending the loan for one year, this time including a compulsory purchase option. This would allow Barça to benefit from the player for one more season and to pay in June 2025.
That’s not all. Barça hopes to negotiate this purchase option downward. How ? By using the frosty relations between João Félix and the Madrid management. The player, who also faces his former team this Sunday evening (9 p.m.), does not hide his desire to stay permanently at Barça and his recent statements have not pleased Colchoneros players like Antoine Griezmann. To get what he wants, the 24-year-old Portuguese striker is therefore ready to do anything and could therefore refuse all offers this summer to make Atlético give in. This case would therefore force the capital club to negotiate with Barça to resolve this matter. Barcelona has everything planned… but a lot can happen before this summer of 2024.
