Joao Felix is caught in limbo and it really is Barcelona or bust for the undesirable Atletico Madrid man and Saudi Arabia could be his only option as soon as Europe’s window shuts
Joao Felix is functioning out of time to fix his turbulent long run at Atletico MadridThe 23-year-aged wants Barcelona but may possibly have to transfer to Saudi ArabiaWATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 2 – Mail Sport’s model new soccer present
He was once just one of the most thrilling prospects in European football but 23-yr-outdated Joao Felix will be heading for Saudi Arabia this September except if there is a major transfer industry shake-up in the subsequent 10 days.
He has not performed a one moment of pre-season or of Atletico Madrid’s very first two online games. Simeone does not want him all-around and he won’t want to be close to. But all attempts to get him the big European transfer he wishes have so significantly unsuccessful.
His underwhelming mortgage spell at Chelsea has put off the Premier League clubs, at the very least the kinds taking part in in the Champions League which is in which he believes he should really be playing.
French large spenders PSG have chosen Ousmane Dembele, Marco Asensio and Kang-in Lee. And there has been no real fascination from Italy.
It can be Barca or bust in the up coming 7 days and 50 percent – bust that means a just one-12 months loan at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Professional League.
The clock is ticking for Joao Felix as he attempts to engineer an exit absent from Atletico Madrid
Felix hasn’t performed a one minute of pre-time or of Atletico Madrid’s initial two LaLiga game titles
His agent Jorge Mendes has lots of influence at Barcelona. He is near to the club’s new Director of Football Deco and is the agent of Joao Cancelo who Xavi is determined to see sign before deadline working day.
He also signifies Ansu Fati who Barcelona are striving to provide to give them cash to shell out in what is left of the marketplace.
The aspiration ending to the window for Mendes is that Fati is bought and Barcelona get Cancelo and Felix in – likely both of those on financial loans with an compulsory obtain solution in the scenario of the Manchester City full-again.
The trouble is that there is no genuine desire in Fati and he does not want to depart. If he stays Barcelona may nonetheless be capable to convey in Cancelo but Felix will become unattainable.
Xavi will be joyful both way. He has been cold on the Joao Felix idea considering the fact that it was to start with floated. It appears he is not huge lover of Fati but fancies Felix even significantly less.
The window in Saudi Arabia continues to be open up 20 times beyond the close of the European window so that give Felix a safety internet if he are not able to get the European shift he craves.
It is really an awkward limbo for just one so youthful and so gifted.
It was in the summer of 2019 when Mendes persuaded Atletico Madrid to smash their transfer record and make the then 19-calendar year-outdated the fourth most expensive participant in background.
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Barcelona manager Xavi (still left) could supply Felix with a way to keep in Europe this period even though Diego Simeone (correct) needs the participant out of his club
Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes (pictured) shares a strong relationship with Barcelona
Only Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Philippe Coutinho at the time experienced value additional with Atletico paying slightly above the release clause of £114million to permit them to buy the teenager in instalments.
His arrival came on the very same day Atletico bought midfielder Rodri to Manchester Metropolis for his £63m launch clause. They were being also poised to provide Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona.
This was a new commencing and the younger Portuguese global was to be their new talisman – how could he conclude up getting everything else costing so considerably?
He would associate Alvaro Morata or Diego Costa in attack. ‘We want a kid who is young and can soak up our suggestions,’ mentioned Simeone in an job interview with Fox Sporting activities.
Felix endured a torrid personal loan spell at Chelsea very last year that has place leading English golf equipment off bringing him in
He was at the time the brightest younger prospect in European soccer but has struggled in modern seasons
That perhaps is where by the 1st alarm bells must have rung. Suitable from the commence it was crystal clear that Felix would have to adapt to Atletico Madrid and not the other way spherical. 4 decades on it is very clear he under no circumstances has.
When they offered him Atletico Madrid showed a video of him strolling by the city’s most well known art gallery, El Prado. ‘Joao Felix welcome. Pure Expertise,’ was the accompanying message.
The concept was that the club experienced signed an artist. An individual who would be painting pics at the Metropolitano for yrs to arrive. It can be not likely to occur when Simeone is in demand. And that does not glimpse like changing any time quickly. Four several years on from his arrival – the canvas continues to be blank.