It is hardly a good sign for FC Barcelona when other clubs come after their targets. The Catalan club, unlike the days of old, can no longer hope to compete from an economic perspective with other top clubs. Unlike those other well-equipped sides, Barcelona are quite limited in terms of their financial prowess.
For La Blaugrana to see it as an actual possibility to sign their biggest targets, the club needs time and some fortune on their side. Unfortunately for them, it is hard to imagine Barcelona having their way with both of those things at the moment with the way things are developing.
According to SPORT, the latest of such headaches arrives in the form of Portuguese side S.L. Benfica now joining Barcelona in the race to sign Portuguese forward Benfica. The red side from Portugal wants to sign Joao Felix and take away 50% of the rights for him from Atletico Madrid, despite the fact that Barcelona see him as a target.
Having already spent a season on loan at Barcelona just recently, Felix has now seen his loan deal expire as he is expected to return to Atletico Madrid. However, his relationship with the Madrid-based club is hardly a positive one, and both parties are still looking for ways to cut ties with one another.
Benfica, however, pose a solid economic option for Atletico Madrid to consider. The Portuguese side would be willing to offer €15 million to take half of the player’s rights, and while Atletico Madrid are hoping for a figure closer to €25 million, it is still a viable option for the La Liga side to consider.
This is especially true because FC Barcelona are also looking to bring back Felix for another season on loan. However, in that case, Atletico Madrid do not exactly see a lot of economic benefit, and instead, see it as a positive deal for Barcelona.
Felix was also previously a player for Benfica, before Atletico Madrid ended up paying €124 million to purchase him. Since then, his relationship with his current club has deteriorated and it is becoming more apparent by the years gone by that his future must progress elsewhere.
The player still gives priority towards Barcelona, but Benfica is not a door he closes either. Jorge Mendes reportedly already informed Deco of this Portuguese interest the last time they met, and it is now up to Barcelona to make a formal offer for Felix to return. However, with the Euros currently going on, it is difficult to imagine Barcelona receiving a quick response even if they do so.
