- 12 hours ago
'Barca is my dream' - Joao Felix issues desperate transfer PLEA
Cameron Smith
- 18 Jul 2023 21:55 BST
- 3 min read
Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix wants to sign for Barcelona, claiming the Catalan club is his "dream" destination.
Felix, 23, has returned to Atleti following his six-month loan move to Chelsea, but has been heavily linked with a permanent exit from the Wanda Metropolitano, with the Portuguese international actively seeking a move away.
Furthermore, Diego Simeone no longer wants to work with him, and Antoine Griezmann was recently handed Felix's No.7 jersey at Atletico Madrid.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
However, Felix has now revealed that Barcelona is his “dream” move. The Atleti star spoke to Fabrizio Romano to reveal his ideal destination this summer.
MORE: Xavi names Barcelona star who will be this season's 'big surprise'
What has Felix said?
“I’d love to play for Barça,” he said. “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça. It has always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
Barcelona have only made three signings so far this summer, with two - Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez - arriving on free transfers. Vitor Roque is the only player they’ve purchased for a fee (€40 million) and he will not join the club until 2024. Oriol Romeu is also set to join, but he will be a free transfer like Gundogan and Martinez.
Atleti have reportedly set their asking price for Felix at €100 million, which is a price that Barca simply cannot afford.
In fact, most clubs in world football will not be able to cough up that much money and the few that can are unlikely to pursue Felix - who scored just four goals and provided zero assists in a fairly disappointing six months at Chelsea.
