Barcelona new manager in favour of on-loan star’s continuity next season

Barcelona find themselves in a tricky situation regarding the future of Joao Felix. 

The Portuguese forward, brought in based on the recommendation of sporting director Deco, had a relatively good season under former Xavi, despite not being his initial choice. 

However, now that the season has ended, there are growing questions about whether Felix will stay, especially with the arrival of new coach Hansi Flick.

Flick open to Felix’s continuity

According to a report from MARCA, Flick is open to the idea of Felix remaining at the club as he believes Felix has the potential to contribute significantly to the team. 

However, the reality within the club is clear: they cannot afford to buy the forward outright and the only feasible plan is to extend his loan.

The report highlights that Flick views Felix as a quality player whose performance has been better than some critics suggest. 

Hansi Flick would like Joao Felix to continue at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Over the season, Felix played in 44 games and scored ten goals, including crucial ones against Atletico Madrid and Porto. The new manager is confident that with proper management, Felix could improve these statistics even further.

Atletico Madrid hold the key to Felix’s future

As it turns out, the decision is not solely up to Barcelona as Felix is still an Atletico Madrid player, and negotiations with his parent club will be necessary. 

Barcelona are said to be resolute that they will not purchase Felix, as his market value is too high and the club is grappling with financial difficulties.

Instead, Barcelona will aim to secure a second loan for Felix. It is important to note that Felix’s value on the salary bill is €4 million, though he earns less in reality. 

The club’s Sports Management team recognises the challenge of finding another player on the market who can match Felix’s contributions while fitting into the Financial Fair Play regulations. 

Any new signing would likely exceed Felix’s cost due to amortisation alone. And this is why Barcelona are waiting for Atletico Madrid to get into negotiations.