Joao Felix APPROVES shock transfer after admitting Barcelona 'dream'

Cameron Smith

7 Aug 2023 09:42 BST
4 min read

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has reportedly ‘approved’ a move to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, despite revealing that Barcelona is his “dream” destination.

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The Portugal international spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, but failed to light it up at Stamford Bridge and scored just two goals for the club as they finished 12th in the Premier League. As a result, they decided against signing him permanently.

Felix has now returned to Atleti but is set to leave the Wanda Metropolitano after being deemed surplus to requirements by Diego Simeone. Atletico have re-signed Antoine Griezmann on a permanent deal this summer and have handed the Frenchman Felix’s number seven shirt, further fuelling speculation of an exit.

MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals

Paris Saint-Germain have held interest in Felix, but they have since decided to pursue moves for Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos - as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers.

Furthermore, they have already purchased Marco Asensio from Real Madrid and re-signed Xavi Simons from PSV Eindhoven.

Felix himself told Fabrizio Romano that Barcelona is his “dream” destination earlier this window as he looks to force a move to Camp Nou. The Blaugrana have explored the possibility of signing the 24-year-old, but Atleti’s desire to recoup the entire €127 million fee they spent on Felix in 2019 - as reported by ElDesMarques - may make a deal difficult.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

© ProShots - Joao Felix was on loan at Chelsea last season

Felix agrees Al-Hilal move

Furthermore, Felix himself has said yes to a move to Al-Hilal, according to Saudi broadcaster Okaz Sports, and Jorge Mendes has been informed of this decision.

Al-Hilal have already made major moves this summer - bringing in Malcom (€60m), Ruben Neves (€55m), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (€40m) and Kalidou Koulibaly (€23m) - but they aren’t satisfied.

Their pursuits of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Moussa Diaby all ended in failure and their latest endeavour is attempting to convince Napoli’s Victor Osimhen to sign a deal worth €1.16m (£1m) per week.

However, Felix is also on their radar and the Benfica academy graduate is said to be open to the idea.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus is involved in the proposed deal to sign Felix and has called the player in a bid to bring him to Saudi Arabia.

Felix will wait for Barcelona to submit an offer or another club in Europe to bid, says Romano, but Al-Hilal is an option.