Forward determined to secure Barcelona move this summer

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix hopes that he will remain at Barcelona beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Joao Felix is hopeful that he will secure a permanent switch to Barcelona during this summer’s transfer window, but the forward has admitted the situation ‘does not depend on him’.
The Portugal international made a loan move to Camp Nou from Atletico Madrid in the final stages of last summer’s transfer market following months of speculation surrounding his future.

Felix has been an important player for Xavi’s side this season, scoring nine goals and registering six assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.

Barcelona are working to keep hold of the 24-year-old, but an agreement with Atletico will be difficult to find, with the reigning La Liga champions having well-documented financial problems.

Atletico have Felix on a contract until June 2029 and will not accept a cut-price fee for the Portuguese, but it is also unlikely that he has a future at Wanda Metropolitano due to his strained relationship with the capital outfit’s head coach Diego Simeone.

Barcelona are working to keep hold of Felix

Felix has expressed a desire to remain with Barcelona, claiming that he and his family are “happy” in the city, but the forward accepts that the situation ‘does not depend on him’.

“We’ll see what happens next year, my family is happy and I’m happy. I would like to stay but it doesn’t depend on me,” the attacker said in an interview with journalist Gerard Moreno.

“The signing for Barca was the last day, there was nothing planned. I had to go to the stadium in the morning to unblock contractual issues that I had to renounce.

“It was either I renounced or they wouldn’t let me come to Barca. We will see what will have to be done to stay at Barca, many things can change, it doesn’t depend only on me.”

Felix hopeful head coach Xavi stays at Barcelona
Felix has also urged Xavi “to reconsider” his decision to stand down as Barcelona boss this summer.

At the end of January, following a home defeat to Villarreal, Xavi revealed that he would be leaving his role as manager at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the La Liga champions have won eight of their 11 matches in all competitions, remaining unbeaten in the process, since the announcement, and there have been growing calls for the 44-year-old to consider a change of heart.

“I would like Xavi to reconsider his situation. He has great ideas and he is a very young coach. The people in Barcelona love him a lot,” Felix added. “We didn’t expect Xavi’s departure. It was a surprise.”

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has said that Xavi is wanted as part of “a long-term project” at Camp Nou, confirming the club are attempting to keep hold of the ex-midfielder beyond the end of the season.

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