Portuguese media abuzz with conflicting reports on Barcelona target

Joao Felix, who spent the last season on loan at FC Barcelona, has a summer filled with uncertainty ahead of him. The Portuguese forward wants to remain at the Catalan club, but the Blaugranes have other priority targets ahead of him, and their financial conditions will not allow them many luxury signings this summer.

Meanwhile, it is also clear that he has no place in the Atletico Madrid squad, the club that actually owns him, as his relationship with Diego Simeone is almost non-existent.

In recent days, there were reports of the Portuguese club Benfica nearing an agreement with the Mattress Makers for his purchase, which would have made Felix the most expensive signing for the Eagles.

However, as SPORT has noted, such a move to Benfica is also far from certain as there are some conflicting reports emerging from Portugal on this operation. The newspaper Record claims that the Aguias are willing to do everything to bring Felix to Portugal, and can offer up to €25 million to get 50% of his rights.

Meanwhile, another newspaper, A Bola, claims that his incorporation has almost been ruled out by Benfica, because the club cannot afford him. A synthesis of different reports from the country shows that the Eagles are still debating whether to sign Felix, and this operation is not entirely dead yet.

To incorporate Felix, Benfica will have to sell several of their players, and the report from SPORT claims that the Portuguese club’s top managers believe signing Felix would be a strategic bet and do not want to miss this market opportunity.

Atletico Madrid themselves are trying to make things easier for Benfica and prioritize this transfer ahead of sending Felix again to Barcelona. The Catalans themselves have made it clear to Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, that they can only get the player on a loan, and that too if he is willing to make an economic sacrifice.

Felix himself is also naturally eager to see his future sorted and has instructed his agent to finalize this before the end of this month. Aston Villa have also made a loan with a purchase option offer for him, but his first priority is Barcelona, while he will also be open to returning to Benfica if some economic and sporting conditions are met.