Atletico float CRAZY swap deal for struggling Barca striker

FT Desk

• 20 Mar 2024 15:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Atletico Madrid are ready to propose an audacious swap deal in order to send Joao Felix to Barcelona on a long-term basis.

The 24-year-old has overcome a rather slow start to his loan switch to Catalunya and since returning from an ankle injury in February has netted twice in three starts.

And as a result of that upturn Barca are reportedly keen to retain his services at least through the 2024-25 season.

READ MORE: Latest Barcelona transfer rumours

The Blaugrana's preferred option would be an extension of the current loan agreement which expires this summer.

But after relations between club and player soured in the wake of his move to their Liga rivals last year, Atletico would rather see the Portugal international leave on a permanent basis as they seek to recoup at least part of the €126 million fee paid to Benfica back in 2019.

In order to achieve that goal, they have reportedly floated a rather unusual proposal.

Is Lewa heading to the capital?

According to journalist Ruben Uria, Atletico are keen to add veteran striker Robert Lewandowski to their ranks.

The former Bayern Munich ace could thus form part of a swap deal that would allow Joao Felix to remain at Barca on a permanent basis, lowering the Portuguese's transfer value for the cash-strapped giants.

The timing of the report is curious given Lewandowski's own recent uptick in form.

After struggling for goals during the first half of the season he has now struck five times in Barca's last six games, also hitting the net in both ties of the club's Champions League last-16 triumph over Napoli.

Nevertheless, certain figures at Barca are reportedly open to cutting ties with Lewandowski, who ranks among the club's highest-paid stars and turns 36 in August.

Atletico, meanwhile, are hoping the Poland marksman could have a similar impact to that of Luis Suarez, who lifted La Liga with the Colchoneros in 2020-21 following his shock move from Barca at the start of that season.