FC Barcelona made a bet on Joao Felix in the last summer transfer window. The Portuguese international’s talent is not doubted by anyone, but he has been unable to perform since the time he left Benfica for Atletico Madrid, and his performance did not improve even when he played for Chelsea in the second half of the last season.
Owing to these factors, Barcelona were able to get the forward on a free year-long loan, and Felix’s desire to join the Catalan club also made him lower his salary significantly, keeping in view Barcelona’s inability to pay high wages in their current FFP situation.
Atletico Madrid worried about Felix
At Barcelona, he has fitted in like a glove and has already become one of the starters for Xavi. His performances at Barcelona have already encouraged the Catalans to try to keep him beyond this season, but as the Atletico Madrid President recently stated, it needs to be remembered that Felix is still an Atletico Madrid player.
In normal circumstances, one would have expected Atletico Madrid to be happy with Felix’s rediscovery of his form, as it would enhance his value and bring in a greater profit for them. However, according to SPORT, the Felix case is becoming a headache for the Atletico Madrid hierarchy.
The report mentions that it is becoming clear to the Madrid club that they will not be able to get the fee that they planned to get for him. Felix is complicit with Barcelona in regards to his future and would reject any offer other than that of Barcelona.
Thus, the Catalans are calm with negotiations for Felix, but Atletico, who do not want to lose the player for free, are entirely at a loss in such a situation.
Atletico might have to compromise on another loan
Having bought him four and a half years ago, Atletico has already covered a significant part of Felix’s amortization costs. Still, the player had cost the Madrid club more than a hundred million Euros, and he needs to be sold for around €75-80 million for Atletico to make a profit on him.
Atletico realise that they would not be able to get such a sum from Barcelona, and thus might have to compromise on another loan to not lose the player entirely free.
Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, played an important role in getting him at Barcelona and will continue to do his part to ensure that his client remains at his favorite club for the upcoming years as well.
