FC Barcelona are reportedly already lining up a summer move to sign on-loan Chelsea attacker Joao Felix, who snubbed Arsenal this January to join the west London club.
According to Sport, the Portuguese international is the subject of interest from higher-ups at Barcelona for the summer transfer window, with Xavi Hernandez’s side already keen on making a move to sign the Atletico Madrid-owned Felix once he has returned to Spain.
The Athletic had reported that Arsenal were interested in signing the 23-year-old forward on loan. However, it was Chelsea who eventually won the race for Felix as the former Benfica wonderkid snubbed the Gunners for a move to Graham Potter’s side, where he was sent off on his Premier League debut.
With Atletico expected to sell Felix for good in the summer, interest could be high in the Portuguese star if the attacker impresses out on loan with Chelsea, though given that the forward has missed three games through suspension, time is already short for the youngster to make his mark.
Indeed, Arsenal could feel relieved that they missed out on Felix the dramatic circumstances of the attacker’s debut, yet for Barcelona, they will only be fixated on what the on-loan Chelsea star does between now and the end of the season, where a string of impressive performances could open Barca’s wallet.
With the Gunners settling on Leandro Trossard this January, it is unlikely if Mikel Arteta will reignite his interest for Felix in the summer, where we could see Barcelona and Chelsea again do battle in the transfer market for a top player in Europe.
Barcelona signing Felix would be a slap in the face for Chelsea
Todd Boehly has once again gone all out with signings this January to bolster Chelsea’s squad and to give Potter the best chance of a top-four finish this season, and whilst the plan has gone done as successfully as a lead balloon, Felix has the potential to be a top addition for the Blues in the years to come.
Which is why Barcelona’s interest could cause some major issues for Chelsea, with the La Liga leaders realistically the ideal club for the Atletico attacker given the style of football Xavi’s side play and how perfect the Spanish top-flight is for Felix when playing in the right system.
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