It is becoming increasingly frustrating for Barcelona to keep all their priorities in order. La Blaugrana started off the summer with hopes of signing a midfielder, but they are now wrapped in the fantasies of signing a new forward. Regardless of what or who they pursue, Barcelona is yet to make a proper signing.
Moreover, while these frustrations continue, La Blaugrana also begin to lose other market opportunities. At the moment, all their attention seems to be directed towards the arrival of either Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, two Spaniards that Barça ideally would want to sign simultaneously.
However, while this transfer soap opera continues to drag on, other good opportunities continue to sail away. One such option could be Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who spent last season on loan at Barcelona and his future at Atletico Madrid is anything but certain.
In the latest update provided by SPORT, moreover, it appears that Felix is still waiting for Barcelona. His priority remains to leave Atletico Madrid and return to Barça, no matter what kind of structure that deal ends up taking. Unfortunately for him, however, his current club only wants a permanent transfer.
SL Benfica may be willing to offer that, but the player reportedly does not want to return to Portugal. Instead, the two most viable options currently there are either Aston Villa or Barça. Both clubs are currently only willing to offer a loan deal, but are also the only two sides Felix would even consider joining right now.
As Atletico Madrid looks to start their preseason preparations properly, there is little expectation in terms of Felix’s involvement. While he may have recovered a sense of respect within the locker room, his differences with the coaching staff and specifically Diego Simeone remain hard to overcome.
With a lot of Portuguese media even covering the dynamics between the coach and his forward, there is a sense of things starting to heat up. However, Barcelona remains unfazed so far this summer and they know that even if they pursue Felix’s arrival near the end of the window, it is more than possible to make it a reality.