Atletico Madrid provide update on possible Joao Felix return after Barcelona loan
Cameron Smith
- 3 Dec 2023 20:22 GMT
- 3 min read
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has admitted that Joao Felix would be welcomed back to the club if Barcelona don’t sign him on a permanent deal next summer.
Felix, 24, is currently on loan at Barca after a one-year agreement was reached on Transfer Deadline Day.
At the beginning of the summer window, the Portuguese international outlined that it was his “dream” to play for Barcelona one day as he sought an Atletico Madrid exit.
Felix had spent the previous six months on loan at Chelsea, but he mustered just four goals and zero assists in 20 appearances for the Blues, and he was expected to leave Atleti after angering the club’s fanbase with his comments about Barcelona.
A permanent exit was seen as likely, but no interested parties were willing to offer a suitable sum of money for the forward.
Therefore, a one-year loan move to Barcelona was agreed, and the Blaugrana may look to make the deal permanent next summer if they deem Felix a worthwhile investment.
What has been said?
Cerezo told the media, as per FootballEspana: “Joao Felix is an Atletico Madrid player on loan at Barcelona and we wish him all the best. He is one of the best players in Europe and is playing for Barcelona.
“If Barcelona don’t sign him next year and wants to be an Atletico Madrid player again, it’s that simple.”
Felix joined Atletico for €127.2 million in 2019 after an impressive breakout onto the senior stage at Benfica. However, he failed to demonstrate his best form on a consistent basis for the Wanda Metropolitano side and was often not favoured by Diego Simeone.
Since joining Barcelona on loan, Felix has four goals and three assists in 16 appearances for his new team. Three of his Blaugrana goals have come in the Champions League, with only one LaLiga strike thus far.
