Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at Chelsea from Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan club have initiated contact with Atletico Madrid for the Portugal international. They share a strong relationship with the Diego Simeone-managed club having done deals for Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay in recent years, which could help things along.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Joao Felix is wanted by Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The La Liga leaders want to know about Atletico’s plans for the forward, who has great potential but failed to unlock it under Diego Simeone.
Felix, 23, apparently fell out with Simeone earlier this season and left Atletico on loan to Chelsea until the end of the season. He looked bright on his Chelsea debut against Fulham until he was sent off for a reckless studs-up challenge on Kenny Tete, thus, ending his night prematurely at Craven Cottage.
The Portugal international, who extended his deal until 2027 before arriving at Stamford Bridge on a temporary deal, is expected to return to Atletico at the end of the season and may look for a permanent move away, the report adds.
Joao Felix to Barcelona—Should they make a move in the summer?
Barcelona have been excellent since the La Liga returned after the completion of the World Cup in Qatar and currently sit five points clear at the top of the table. After having no funds to improve the squad this month, the Catalan giants will be eager to continue the squad overhaul under Xavi Hernandez in the summer transfer window.
A forward could be on Xavi’s agenda, with Memphis Depay recently joining Atletico Madrid while Ferran Torres and Raphinha facing uncertain futures at Camp Nou. In addition, Ousmane Dembele’s fitness has been a problem in recent years, which could force Xavi to dip into the market for offensive reinforcements.
Joao Felix looks ideal to strengthen Barcelona’s offensive unit, with Xavi certainly likely to benefit from bringing in a top young player as both Torres and Raphinha look not up to scratch. Felix is rated as one of the finest young attacking talents in world football, although he hasn’t been able to live up to his lofty price tag at Atletico Madrid. Yet, he is only 23 and has a lot of time to revive his stuttering career.
Having nurtured young talents such as Gavi, Pedri, Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati and a couple more at Barcelona so far, Xavi would believe he is the right man to get the best out of Felix, who is suited to a more expansive and attacking brand of football than that of a rigid system under Simeone. Going by how Barcelona have improved and the young talents have fared under Xavi, Felix could thrive as well.
However, the Blaugrana must continue monitoring Felix’s performances at Chelsea once he returns from suspension before making a move in the summer.
