FC Barcelona are already aware of some decisions that they will have to make in the summer. Not all of their transfer targets are guarantees yet, but they do know their priorities. Certain cases at Barcelona are already advanced, while others are being considered.
The situation of several loan players is one that Barcelona seems to be prioritizing. This includes more than just players that La Blaugrana themselves have sent out on loan, and also involves assessing the future of those who are currently at the club on loan from other sides.
The two most prominent names in this scenario thus become Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix. Cancelo is currently on loan from Manchester City, while Felix has arrived from Atletico Madrid. In the case of the latter, many reports have suggested that the La Liga side is demanding a sizeable transfer fee to make his transfer permanent.
However, Barcelona seem to have other plans. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barça wish to execute a ‘Griezmann situation’ with the transfer of Joao Felix. Unwilling to pay up the amount that Atletico are reportedly demanding, they instead wish to extend his stay as a loan player by another year and add a mandatory purchase option in the new deal.
However, even this new hypothetical price would need to be lowered than their current demands. Barcelona wish to repeat the situation that Atletico Madrid managed to pull off with Antoine Griezmann, one in which he ended up rejoining the Madrid-based side for only €20 million and some add-ons, whereas Barcelona had to pay up something along the lines of €120 million for him.
Moreover, the Portuguese star currently wishes to stay at FC Barcelona. Furthermore, even the club reciprocates those feelings and wish to retain him. This is further aided by Jorge Mendes, his agent, who also believes his client should remain at Barcelona.
However, the Portuguese star’s agent has thus far not made too many advances. He reportedly thinks it is too early to make big demands and that it should be done with care and patience. Yet, Barcelona and Atletico could perhaps have a start to talks about such a possibility ahead of the heavily anticipated match between the two sides in about 12 hours.
