Barcelona: Xavi’s Joao Felix stance REVEALED

Tom Hancock

• 20 Jul 2023 16:54 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona manager Xavi does not see Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix as a priority transfer target for the La Liga champions.

Joao Felix has returned to his parent club after Chelsea opted against signing him on a permanent basis, but the Portugal forward’s future looks likely to lie away from Atletico.

The uncertainty over the 23-year-old’s next step comes four years after he joined Atleti from Benfica in a €126m move which ranks as the fifth-most expensive transfer of all time.

MORE: Lionel Messi denied dream Barcelona reunion at Inter Miami

According to Mundo Deportivo, though, Xavi wants Barca to strengthen in other departments before any possible swoop for Joao Felix.

The Blaugrana have made three additions to their squad so far this summer, signing Oriol Romeu from Girona for €3.4m, and bringing in Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez on free transfers.

However, striking a deal for Joao Felix could prove considerably more difficult for Barcelona – who remain hamstrung by the well-documented financial difficulties which forced them to let Lionel Messi leave as a free agent this time two years ago.

MORE: Xavi names Barcelona star who will be this season's 'big surprise'

Atleti fans’ fury at Joao Felix

News of Xavi’s position comes after Joao Felix claimed it would be “a dream come true” to play for Barcelona – words which, unsurprisingly, provoked the ire of Atletico fans.

Such was the anger of some supporters that they reacted by vandalising a plaque bearing Joao Felix’s name – awarded for reaching 100 appearances for Atleti – outside the club’s stadium, the Civitas Metropolitano.

Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates Joao Felix at €45.3m, but Atletico are thought to value him at a whopping €100m.

That said, Barca appear to only be considering a loan deal – although that could reportedly still set them back some €25m.