Last summer, FC Barcelona were able to bring two very high-profile footballers on the last day of the transfer window, as they completed the signings of Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo on loan.
The arrival of these two players significantly enhanced the hopes of winning a major piece of silverware this season for the Culers, but now, as the season is coming to an end, both these players have left a lot of questions about whether the club should make an effort for their continuity.
This is particularly the case with Joao Felix. The Portuguese forward has publicly declared that it was a childhood dream for him to join FC Barcelona, but he has not taken the fullest advantage of this loan to become an undisputed starter for Xavi, even though he has shone brightly in some matches, most notably against Atletico Madrid and Porto.
Although his talent, explosiveness in the final third, and ability to thread killer passes are not questioned, he has left a lot of doubts with his lack of defensive contribution, especially when Xavi has two very hard workers like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal also playing on the wings.
Thus, as SPORT has noted, with only five matches remaining in the current campaign, the forward still hopes to stay at Barcelona beyond this season, even though the time for Felix to convince Barcelona to retain him in their team has almost run out.
His continuity at the Catalan club is now more uncertain than ever, especially because of their financial constraints, and Felix himself has not proven himself to be worthy of a significant investment.
Even if Barcelona make an effort for his continued stay at the club, they would only do so with another loan and a reduced salary for the footballer. Currently, Atletico Madrid is not too keen for such a move, but the involvement of some other players in this operation can make it happen.
For now, the 24-year-old Portuguese forward has a very short time left to convince the Blaugranes that they should be spending their highly rare resources on his continuity if he wants to stay at his childhood dream club.