Barcelona progress in negotiations to sign Joao Felix

Both the Spanish sides are working on a loan move for the forward.

Joao Felix’s move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid for a record-breaking fee of €126m in 2019 remains the fourth highest transfer fee in the history of the game. This fee is especially mind boggling when one realises that Atletico Madrid paid €126m for who was then a 20-year-old striker.

Since arriving in Spain, Felix has been decent at best for Atletico Madrid. His 34 goals and 16 assists across 4 seasons are not disappointing numbers, but nothing he has done justifies the €126m Diego Simeone’s side spent on him.

After spending two seasons with Atletico Madrid, he was loaned out to Premier League side Chelsea for the last half of the 2022-2023 season. After the season ended, it was revealed that his move to Stamford bridge would not be made permanent and he returned to Madrid.

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top five most valuable squads in football
• Top 10 players with biggest rating upgrade in EA FC 24
• Ranking the favourites to win Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023
• Top five favourites to win Serie A 2023-24 based on odds
• Top 10 footballers who were banned for doping

Cut to last month, Joao Felix blew the transfer market open when in an exclusive interview with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, he stated that he has always been a Barcelona fan and to play for them would be like realising a childhood dream for him.

Post his comments, Barcelona or their management under Xavi Hernandez showed no interest in him. However, after their failed attempts at signing Bernardo Silva, the Blaugranas have showed interest in acquiring him, and it is being reported that talks with Atletico Madrid are proceeding at a positive pace.

At the moment, it is being reported that he will leave Atletico Madrid for the Camp Nou initially on loan for which Barcelona will pay a fee expected to be in the bracket of €7-€8m. Whether the deal will have a buy in option at the end is not clear at the moment. Barcelona signing him will also depend on their financial fair play situation.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.