Barcelona turn attention to Chelsea flop as Dembele replacement

Cameron Smith

1 Aug 2023 10:25 BST
3 min read

Barcelona will "go to war" with PSG over Dembele — © ProShots

Barcelona are lining up a move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix in response to Ousmane Dembele’s possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to Sport.

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Felix spent the second-half of last season on loan at Chelsea, but he netted just two goals for the club and the Blues decided against signing him on a permanent deal.

They have instead signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, while links with Dusan Vlahovic have resurfaced following reports of a potential swap deal involving the Serbian striker and Romelu Lukaku.

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Felix recently admitted that Barcelona is his “dream” destination amid an uncertain Atleti future.

The Portuguese international signed a new contract at the Wanda Metropolitano before moving to Stamford Bridge on loan, but the Spanish giants looked vastly improved without him last term and they have just re-signed Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona.

Furthermore, Griezmann has been handed Felix’s number seven shirt, suggesting he will be sold this window.

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What has Felix said?

Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, Felix revealed: “I’d love to play for Barça. Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça. It has always been my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”

© ProShots - Barcelona reportedly want to sign Joao Felix

Now, he could be set to have his wish granted as Sport have reported that Barcelona are now exploring the possibility of signing Felix this summer following PSG’s approach to sign Dembele.

According to ElDesMarques, Atleti are reluctant to sell Felix for anything less than the €127m they spent on him in 2019, despite previous reports suggesting he’d cost roughly €100m.

It seems unlikely that Barcelona would be able to afford that, although the sale of Dembele could go someway to funding a possible move for Felix.

So far this summer, Xavi’s side have signed Oriol Romeu (€3.4m), Ilkay Gundogan (free) and Inigo Martinez (free).