Atletico Madrid forced to consider return of Joao Felix from Barcelona

Barcelona forward Joao Felix continues to play a minor role in the second half of their season, thrown on for the final nine minutes of their most important remaining game at the weekend with the side two goals down to Girona. While both player and club have maintained they want their relationship to continue next season, it’s looking less likely.

A report that Atletico Madrid contemplating the possibility that Felix returns in the summer and remains at the club is a sure sign that his continuity is in doubt. Barcelona are not flush for funds, and Atletico have maintained that they do not want to gift Felix away, and will demand that his ammortisation is taken care of as well as his salary.

The Madrid daily say that with Atletico not well stocked for forwards, and open to offers for Memphis Depay, Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa, meaning Felix could have a role to fulfil. They value Felix at €60m, but are unlikely to find a buyer. Given the situation, and the uncertainty over the capacity and willingness of Barcelona to reach a deal with Atletico, Los Colchoneros are now having to consier that possibility.

The Portuguese has 10 goals and 6 assists in 41 games, despite only 24 starts, but has not been used for the majority of Barcelona’s biggest games in the second half of the season. There has been talk of Saudi Arabia being interested in Felix, but he seems keen to remain in Europe, while the suggestion of Ansu Fati heading the other way, another Jorge Mendes client, doesn’t appear to have sparked much excitement at the Metropolitano.