Barcelona could use Atletico Madrid’s interest in former defender to reduce Joao Felix’s price

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid remain locked in discussions regarding a deal for Joao Felix, who has excelled on loan at the Catalan outfit this season.

The Blaugrana want to keep him beyond the season, the player wants to stay as well, and Atletico Madrid would be happy to see him out permanently, although at a price tag of their wish, something that Barça cannot afford to pay.

As such, the current La Liga champions have been looking for another loan deal with a permanent purchase option, but Atleti are unwilling to agree to such terms yet.

However, Barcelona might now have found a new way to drive down the transfer fee for the Portuguese defender.

Atletico Madrid want former Barcelona man Jean-Clair Todibo

Indeed, as per SPORT, former Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who currently plays for OGC Nice in Ligue 1, has emerged as a transfer target for Atletico Madrid for the summer.

Barcelona could use that to their advantage and drive down the transfer fee for Joao Felix for the summer.

Barcelona want to retain Joao Felix. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

It must be remembered that Barcelona inserted a 20% sell-on clause in their agreement with Nice while selling Todibo back in 2021.

As such, 20% of any fee that Atletico would pay Nice, would end up in the Blaugrana’s pockets.

And this figure could help Barça lower the transfer fee for Joao Felix if Atletico Madrid do go after the signing of Todibo, who is seen as a priority target by manager Diego Simeone.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo seems to have already taken for granted that Joao Felix will be staying at Barcelona. But there are still a lot of chinks to be ironed out.

Whether the Todibo deal has any impact on the matter remains to be seen.