Atletico Madrid interested in 3 Barcelona players as they express desire in swap deal for Joao Felix: Reports
Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in Barcelona's Inigo Martinez, Ferran Torres and Vitor Roque. Barca, meanwhile, have no intention to pay for Joao Felix after his loan term expired on June 30, but Atletico are prepared for a swap deal.
The Portuguese forward made a loan move to the Blaugrana in the summer of 2023 following a loan spell with Chelsea. After his stinted ended last season, the 24-year-old is now back with Atletico.
While Felix is being considered internally by the Barcelona board, their interest in bringing him in has dwindled in the past few weeks, as the club have focused on other targets like Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.
Getting Williams has proved to be a mountainous task for the Blaugrana. However, Dani Olmo has agreed a six-year deal after the La Liga giants offered a €55 million guaranteed fee plus add-ons to RB Leipzig. Due to the priority placed on transfer targets at Barca, the club will only sign Felix if other transfer deals don't materialise.
According to Sport, Barcelona haven't made significant progress in acquiring Felix but are considering a loan deal. Atletico are receptive to negotiating that, with Barca players Martinez, Torres and Roque being of interest.
The source also adds that the main obstacle is convincing these players to make the move, though, and Barca must demonstrate a strong commitment to signing Felix, which they haven't done yet.
Felix, though, is patient despite interest from Aston Villa, as the 24-year-old believes that he's still at the peak of his career. Sporting director Deco and new Barca boss Hansi Flick are confident in Felix's potential to become a key player.
The Portuguese man scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 44 appearances for Barca last season.
Hansi Flick urges Barcelona to acquire players who can win games
Hansi Flick has urged the Barcelona board not to settle for less in the transfer market. The German said the team should sign players who can make a difference by winning games. As per GOAL, he said:
"We have to bring in a player who can win games, but we also have young players who we have to help so that they can improve. I've felt from day one the passion that the people have. The fans. Everyone. The president. Everyone here, those who work here, have that passion for Barca. The devotion to give their best for this club.
"And that's also something big for us because we want to be part of this entity and live this passion and this devotion. We want to give everything we have to take this club to the next level. We will do everything possible."
Barcelona play Real Madrid, AC Milan and Monaco in preseason ahead of the 2024–25 La Liga campaign. They beat Manchester City on penalties (4-1) in their first preseason friendly following a 2-2 draw.