€30m Portuguese player closer to signing for Chelsea than for Barcelona | OneFootball

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FC Barcelona have not been completely satisfied with their current summer transfer market. While initially there were great expectations regarding what would come out of this summer, La Blaugrana have unfortunately not been able to live up to them. Instead, Barcelona remain almost clueless a few days before the official season starts.

Previously, there were hopes that Barcelona would like to sign both Nico Williams and Dani Olmo this summer. Unfortunately, only the latter has managed to arrive at the club whereas Nico Williams continues to escape Barça no matter how much the media continues to poke around the bush.

Apart from these two, however, Barcelona also had a few other names in mind whose futures need to be resolved. Two of those names were Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, the Portuguese duo who got to represent the Catalan giants last season on loan.

However, at least in the case of Felix, there may be a big hurdle up ahead. According to SPORT, English Premier League side Chelsea are looking to accelerate the possible signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid in an operation that is expected to reach the €50 million mark.

At the moment, as per the same report, Chelsea look to be the only suitor for Felix who can afford that kind of transfer. That would mean that Barcelona now have a huge financial obstacle in their way as well given that Atletico Madrid would like nothing more than to offload the €30 million-rated forward permanently rather than on another loan.

While the player’s preference to join Barcelona has never been in doubt, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the the 24-year-old Portuguese star will be reunited with the club he played last season for. Instead, a move to the Premier League could become a reality given that the time he spent with Chelsea on loan could also benefit this decision.

However, one slight hint of hope could be that the arrival of Felix is not yet a guarantee. Many voices within Chelsea are not completely sold on his signing and would instead prefer a more natural number ‘9’ such as Victor Osimhen to be signed instead.