Tension rises between Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona for Joao Felix

126 million euros. This is the tidy sum spent by Atlético de Madrid to recruit João Félix in the summer of 2019. At that time, the young Portuguese was considered one of the greatest talents in world football after a breathtaking season under the tunic of Benfica . Five years later, nothing has really gone as planned for the Portuguese international. Considered a huge flop in Madrid where he never knew how to assimilate Diego Simeone’s playing principles, Felix was loaned for six months to Chelsea last season. After a fairly neutral loan in London, the versatile 24-year-old striker returned to Madrid last summer. And after a turbulent summer in the Iberian capital, the latter won his case by being sent to FC Barcelona, ​​his priority choice at the start of the summer transfer window.

With this desired arrival in a club that also wanted him, the right-hander shone on his debut. However, the state of grace did not last for the native of Viseu. Less and less aligned, João Félix is ​​today considered a luxury replacement in the eyes of Xavi. Obviously, despite his 8 goals and 5 assists in 33 appearances with the club culé this season, this status raises questions as his loan in Catalonia ends next June. Facing enormous financial difficulties, Barça does not intend to make any offers to directly recruit the Portuguese at the end of the season. A situation that clearly makes the Colchoneros cringe.

Atlético de Madrid could send João Félix to Saudi Arabia

Indeed, while the player’s future is barred in the capital as long as Diego Simeone is on the bench of Matelassiers, the latter want Barça to offer a direct transfer to exfiltrate number 14 from the Blaugrana. Negotiations at a standstill and which inevitably return as the two teams face each other this Sunday for the clash of the 29th day of La Liga (9 p.m.). Eager to stay with the Catalan team next season as confided Sport this Saturday, João Félix knows that he is persona non grata at Atlético de Madrid and expects an emotionally charged meeting on Sunday. For his part, Xavi, his coach, knows that his player will be able to overcome this pressure as he confided at a press conference: “the treatment reserved for João Félix by Atlético supporters tomorrow? Personally, I liked the hostile environment. Joao has a strong character and wants to show his talent, of which he has a lot. We will need a lot of personality to win the match. He has all the characteristics to play a big match tomorrow.”

Tomorrow’s meeting will also be an opportunity for the two managements to talk again about the future of the 24-year-old player. While nothing has changed for several months, Sport indicates that Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent, holds the cards. While 50 million euros are requested on one side and a new loan is only being considered on the other, the Portuguese representative will have to work on a viable compromise to offer to both clubs. In which case, his client risks seeing his career be seriously disrupted. Indeed, according to the Iberian daily, a sale of João Félix to Saudi Arabia is even considered by Atlético de Madrid if no common ground is found with FC Barcelona. You will have understood, tomorrow is extremely important in the career of João Félix. Asked about this deadline, Diego Simeone acted as if he did not know his former player: “João Felix? I am very respectful towards players who play for other teams. I don’t normally give my opinion on any of them and this will be no exception.» If the former Benfiquist manages to make an impression, a solution could be found between the two parties but the Civitas Metropolitano will not give him any gifts…