‘Non-existent’ – Barcelona have already come to a decision on João Félix’s future

A fresh insight into the plans of the powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona for the on-loan João Félix has today been provided.

The info comes courtesy of Marca, who point towards one avenue towards Félix staying put in Catalunya into next season as ‘non existent’.

That in question? The permanent signing of the Portuguese.

With Atlético Madrid continuing to point their La Liga rivals towards a price-tag of €70-80 million, the Barcelona brass have long made clear that they simply cannot afford to purchase Félix outright.

Not only that, but the presence of the likes of Vitor Roque, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, means that such an outlay on an already well-stocked department of the playing squad at Camp Nou simply could not be justified.

And yet, despite as much, Deco and his team of directors are nevertheless understood to be keen to keep hold of the frontman beyond the summer.

On a ‘sporting level’, Félix has impressed his new club, with the element of unpredictability he continues to add to Xavi’s ranks in the final third a welcome asset.

As a result, Barca are ready to enter back into discussions with their Atléti counterparts, over a 2nd season-long loan.

Such an avenue is viewed as a ‘feasible’ one, with Félix altogether unlikely to be reintegrated into the first-team setup in Madrid by Diego Simeone.

And yet, should another club from across the continent enter themselves in the fray courtesy of a big-money offer, the efforts of the Blaugrana to reunite with the 24-year-old are likely to come up short.

Conor Laird | GSFN