Barcelona target no longer sure about joining club, could explore other avenues

In a surprising development, journalist Luis Miguelsanz from SPORT has reported that Joao Felix is uncertain about continuing his stint at Barcelona. 

This is because he is aware of Barcelona’s interest in Nico Williams, and he does not want to spend another season on the bench waiting for his chance to play.

Due to these circumstances, Felix is now open to considering offers, informed by his agent, Jorge Mendes, about the ongoing market movements. 

Felix’s top priority is to play regularly and feel valued again, a promise Benfica have made while they work on reaching a financial agreement with him.

A lot has changed for Felix and Barcelona

A year ago, Felix joined Barcelona with high hopes, especially after the departure of Ansu Fati. However, he ended the season as a substitute, with Lamine Yamal emerging as a key player. 

Over the past few months, Felix has had limited playing time in what has been a very inconsistent season for him.

Joao Felix is worried about his future at Barcelona. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

The forward recognizes that the upcoming season is crucial for his career. Atletico Madrid have made it clear they don’t want him, and his initial aim was to return to Barcelona, where the management has expressed confidence in his future. 

Despite this, Felix understands that both Yamal and Robert Lewandowski are considered clear starters. If Nico joins, the attacking positions will be even more crowded. 

Additionally, the futures of players like Raphinha, Ansu Fati, and Vitor Roque are uncertain, contributing to the already overbooked offensive lineup, which also includes Ferran Torres.

Benfica are leading the chase

Given these uncertainties, Benfica have stepped in, offering Felix a personalized project. The Portuguese club is keen on bringing back one of its former stars and is ready to make a financial effort to secure him, although Felix remains hesitant. 

Barcelona have confirmed their interest in keeping him on loan, but Felix is concerned about being used primarily as a reserve player. He has asked his agent to resolve his future before the end of July to avoid joining Atlético’s pre-season training.

Benfica, however, need time to finalise the signing and for Barcelona to free up salary space. 

Meanwhile, Aston Villa has also shown interest in taking Felix on loan, with their manager, Unai Emery, viewing him as a high-quality player and a valuable market opportunity.