Joao Felix has made a strong impression at FC Barcelona with a strong start to his loan move from Atlético Madrid. Reports from Spain speculate that the Spanish club is set to start negotiating with the Madrid Club to make the move permanent.
As per Ferran Correas, Barcelona is preparing a strategy to present an acceptable offer to Atlético Madrid in the next summer window. Barcelona sources of SPORT reported that the club has the whole season to prepare the proposal. The club is exceptionally happy with his performances and is popular in all areas of the club.
Felix has made eight appearances for the club in all competitions. In those appearances, he has scored three goals and provided three assists. The Portuguese winger has linked up well with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres and provided cover for Xavi’s team after the departure of Ansu Fati to Brighton.
🚨🚨🌕| BREAKING: FC Barcelona have decided to permanently sign João Felix from Atletico Madrid! The final decision has been made. @ferrancorreas 🇵🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/jK39lRaA30
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) October 15, 2023
As per the new reports, the contract length for the permanent move is yet to be disclosed. It can be fair to assume that FC Barcelona will be able to offer at least three years of contract when they make a permanent move for Felix next summer.
Felix’s permanent move sounds alarming to the former number 10 of FC Barcelona, Ansu Fati. It would be interesting to observe whether Barcelona will offload their talented academy product to make way for Felix.
Atlético Madrid paid $134 million in 2019 to Benfica for Felix. The owner of the Madrid-based club will be looking to recover a hefty chunk of the investment. It has been reported that Atlético Madrid will ask for around $84 million for Felix.
Joao Felix’s salary in Barcelona might rise
The Portuguese winger’s current salary at FC Barcelona is set to rise. Earlier reports revealed that the Portuguese earn only $421,000 annually, which is shockingly low for a player of his caliber. However, Felix agreed to take this substantial pay cut in order to move to FC Barcelona for more game time.
🚨🔵🔴 Barça vice president Eduard Romeu: “It’s true, João Félix has reduced his salary to join — and it’s €400k”.
“It’s a very strong message from João”.
“What happens in June? We hope to have the ‘problem’ to consider him staying beyond this season”, told @lesportiucat. pic.twitter.com/cQCilRb2WU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 11, 2023
As per new reports from Catalunya Radio, Felix’s current salary might rise tenfold to $4.2 million for the season. The current finances of FC Barcelona have improved as per the latest financial reports. The new financials allow Felix to earn such a pay raise.
It is being reported that the pay rise won’t dent Barcelona’s FFP limitations. The rise has already been accounted for by La Liga. The Spanish club has taken all the necessary steps to bring in Joao Felix. They don’t want any new incidents off the field that could put the club into controversy, especially after the new charges in the Negreira case.