Joao Felix is one of the most sought-after players, in the world. The Portuguese has built up a reputation as a player with a lot of charisma and creativity. Felix has also worked on the defensive side of his game and loves taking on defenders. He is currently on loan at FC Barcelona.
Felix joined the Catalan giants in the summer of 2023 with a reportedly huge pay cut on an initial loan deal for one year from fellow La Liga stalwarts Atletico Madrid. The loan deal had no option to purchase.
Currently, Barcelona finds itself in a big problem. On one hand, the team wanted to keep the player beyond this season, and on the other Felix’s performances haven’t been very encouraging. He hasn’t scored in his last 11 appearances for the club, and the Catalan team is growing impatient with the Portuguese.
🚨 Joao Félix won’t be a PRIORITY for Barcelona this summer! 🇵🇹❌
The player may only return to Barça on loan or for a price of €20M-€30M. 💰
(Source: @elchiringuitotv) pic.twitter.com/WEiNYeUTMH
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 24, 2023
Fans expected him to be a creative force for the club and link up with Lewandowski but has failed to deliver. Barca is not willing to extend this relationship, at the terms set by his parent club, Atletico Madrid. As reported by Mundo Deportivo (via Barca Blaugranes), Atletico wants a fee around the region of $85-90 million, to let go of Felix. And given their troubled finances, it would be a miraculous task to be able to sign the player.
The plan was to assess the Portuguese’s performance for one year, and then explore the possibility of signing on a permanent deal. But the recent performances of Felix have made Barca very worried.
Joao Felix arrived from Atletico Madrid, after a troublesome stint at the club
Felix found his time at Atletico Madrid, very distressing. Atletico signed the Portuguese for a club-record $136 million and his signing was seen as a direct replacement for an outgoing Antoine Griezmann, who moved to FC Barcelona.
OFFICIAL: Atletico Madrid confirm Joao Felix has joined the club 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/w2JyA8Gyh7
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 3, 2019
Felix was of the same profile as Griezmann, a creative forward who perfectly fit the position of a Secondary Striker. Felix was 19, at the time, and the feeling was that Atletico had unearthed a gem. And with Diego Simeone as his coach, Felix just had to follow his guidance and light up the soccer world.
The opposite happened. Joao Felix could not live up to the hype and the fans questioned his performances. During his time in the Madrid capital, the 24-year-old could not manage to score more than 15 goals, even once. The Portuguese then fell out with Simeone and the Atletico fans. The playing style of his team didn’t impress Felix.
Apart from a few brilliant spells, he had nothing to offer at Atletico. Consequentially his playing time was cut short, which added to the frustration of the Portuguese. As, a result he was loaned out out to Premier League team, Chelsea.
🚨🔵 João Félix will NOT stay at Chelsea next season. Pochettino has decided, João returns to Atléti.
“We have been informed that Poch does not count with João Félix for Chelsea. He will return here, we’ll see… we’ve nothing planned”, Atlético president Cerezo has announced. pic.twitter.com/81i7fYauWG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2023
Even in Chelsea, Felix could not finalize a permanent stay. He received the Chelsea fans’ love and admiration for the Chelsea Board. Yet, their new coach Mauricio Pochettino decided against signing him. He had to return to Atletico and sat on the bench while his team was putting in some brilliant performances in La Liga. Then came, FC Barcelona with a bail-out for Felix.
Joao Felix needs to act smartly and swiftly, as he is running out of options. Apart from teams in the Saudi Pro League and Aston Villa, none was interested in him this summer. Young players like Lamin Yamal and Fermin Lopez have emerged and Ferran Torres has redeemed himself.
Ansu Fati has found his form again at Brighton this season, and these players would be more than happy to take his place. The outcome of Felix and FC Barcelona’s performance this season would be interesting to see.