According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix wants to move to Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old’s future is now up in the air, with the forward returning to Atletico this summer after a loan spell at Chelsea in the second half of last season.
Chelsea turned down the opportunity to sign Felix on a permanent basis, although Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa all said to be interested.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo recently dismissed reports that the Portugal international could be on the move during the summer transfer window.
Felix’s relationship with his club’s head coach, Diego Simeone, is said to have soured, and a move away from Wanda Metropolitano is expected this summer.
According to a recent rumour, Barcelona is Felix’s “dream club,” and Romano has now confirmed that the attacker has expressed a wish to move to Camp Nou.
Fabrizio Romano on Joao Felix wanting to join Barcelona
“Now it’s really important to mention that Joao Felix, in a direct conversation I just had a few minutes ago, told me: ‘I want to go to Barcelona’,”
Romano said on his official YouTube channel.
“Joao Felix told me this very clear statement, he added that Barcelona is the biggest dream of his life since he was a kid and it’s his first choice on the market.”
“These are the words from Joao Felix, he added at the end of the conversation that if this happens it would be a dream come true.”
“We know it’s never easy to negotiate with Atletico Madrid, we know how the financial situation at Barcelona makes things complicated, so we’re not saying this deal will be easy, but Joao Felix’s position is very clear, the statement from the player is that he wants to go to Barcelona.”
“A very clear message from Joao Felix and a very clear intention to join Barcelona.”
Felix signed a new contract with Atletico before leaving in January, with his current terms set to expire in June 2027, giving the Red and Whites a strong negotiating position.
The attacker joined Atletico from Benfica in July 2019, and he has played 131 times for the capital club in all competitions, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists.
Barcelona are said to be interested in Felix, although a move for the attacker this summer is likely to be tricky due to the Catalan club’s persistent financial difficulties.
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