Joao Felix having second thoughts about Barcelona return as Benfica and Aston Villa wait

Portuguese forward Joao Felix arrived at Barcelona late in the transfer window last summer on a cut-price loan deal, after refusing an offer to head to Saudi Arabia, and lacking in other alternatives. It looked as if it might be the case again, but Felix appears to be having second thoughts.

Felix has reportedly told agent Jorge Mendes to sort out his future before the 27th of July when he is due at Atletico Madrid training, a reunion neither are keen on. Barcelona do want him back, but only on loan, and the terms that suit them. It likely depends on Felix prioritising their offer over all others, but Sport say that Felix is now weighing up the alternatives.

He is conscious that if Nico Williams arrives, then he will not have much chance of playing his way into a starting spot. If Barcelona manage to get that deal over the line, then Felix is likely to look at other options, as he is aware that he will be used as a rotational option. Even without Williams arrival, he faces competition from Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres for a spot, with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal guaranteed a place in the forward line.

Benfica are trying to put the money together to pay for 50% of his rights, with a rumoured fee of around €30m. They have promised to build the team around him, and will make an economic effort to pay him too. Unai Emery wants to sign him on loan at Aston Villa, feeling his side could use his quality, and that he is a market opportuntity.

If that is the case, it is good news for Atletico Madrid either way. They are clearly keen to move on from Felix permanently, but even if Felix is open to signing for Villa, it seems more likely they will pay more if not all of his wages next season, whereas Barcelona would hold out for the lowest possible deal. Certainly Felix’s stock is falling after being benched by both Barcelona and Portugal this season.

Image via Alex Caparros/Getty Images

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