The ongoing dilemma faced by FC Barcelona in the case of 23-year-old Portuguese star and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix continues to be pondered and assessed by the Catalan giants as they look for a feasible and sustainable method to ensure he wears Blaugrana colors next season.
Having already publicly stated that he would want to be a Barcelona player and currently facing selection issues and a strained relationship with his coach, Diego Simeone, the player seems determined to force his way out of Atletico Madrid if the worst-case scenario has to be triggered.
Atletico’s record signing, the Madrid-based outfit is well aware of how massive an asset the player is for them in terms of the investment put into his own initial arrival at Atletico Madrid.
Another Atleti player, Antoine Griezmann, did seem to have an insight to provide regarding the matter during a La Liga promotion campaign in the United States of America according to Spanish outlet SPORT.
The Frenchman states that the case of Felix is not too dissimilar to his own, keeping in mind Griezmann himself became a Barcelona player in 2019 and his whole saga at the club caused a massive outrage following its conclusion with how his departure was handled at the expense of Barcelona.
The player elaborated that the mediums currently being used by Felix will only end up hurting the Atleti fans just as the Frenchman’s own did during his own time in 2019 when he looked to move from the club to Barcelona, stating:
“I also lived it because I looked for it and it had hurt the club. And the best thing I did was to shut up and work, be one more, and try to get into the plans of the ‘mister’ (coach), of the club.”
He also stated that his best wishes were there for Felix and he hopes the 23-year-old and Atletico Madrid can improve their relationship moving forward:
“It’s the only thing I can say. Hopefully, that story can be arranged for everyone, for the club, for Joao, and for us in the locker room. And move on.”
While the Portuguese forward was a part of the squad chosen to play against Granada in the opening La Liga fixture of the season for Atletico Madrid, the Barcelona target did not play a singular minute.
Following the game, head coach Diego Simeone was asked regarding his place within the team and the Argentinian coach stated that the player must win his place over the other forwards at the club:
“Joao is with us, he knows very well what we need, what we want, and what we are going to demand from him. He has to compete with Correa, Morata, Griezmann, and Memphis and if he is better than them he will play.”
