Joao Félix tightens the rope: "I would love to play for Barça"

Joao Félix's delicate situation at Atlético became even more tense late on Tuesday, when the Portuguese admitted that he would “love to play for Barça”. In declarations to an Italian journalist, the forward revealed that the Barcelona club “always” has been his “first option”.

Just a few hours after exercising normally with his teammates at Cerro del Espino, without resenting his physical discomfort, Joao made his wish public.. “It was always my dream since I was a child. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me,” confirmed the Portuguese, with a contract at Atlético until 2027.

The problems with Diego Simeone, who already relegated him in his rotations last year in favor of Antoine Griezmann, Álvaro Morata, Ángel Correa and Memphis Depay, do not seem to have been resolved at the start of the preseason. In fact, Joao was already involved in an incident during the first session in Los Angeles de San Rafael, when he ended up asking the sports director, Andrea Berta, for explanations.. Just a few hours later, the cameras caught the former Benfica player throwing his bib on the ground after being left out of a collective exercise.

Waiting

Given this scenario, the rojiblanco club is still waiting for an opportunity to find accommodation for its footballer, who was loaned to Chelsea last January, where he could not offer his best level either.. The interest of PSG or Aston Villa has not yet materialized, so the Atlético coaching staff remains on the lookout.

Simeone's disenchantment with a player for whom 127 million euros were paid in 2019 is more than evident. While his next destination is being decided, Joao is still scheduled for the double training session on Wednesday, prior to the rojiblanca tour of South Korea, Mexico and the United States.

The desire of the Portuguese international could fit into the climate of understanding that has united Atlético and Barcelona in recent months, especially after the operations of Griezmann and Memphis. However, it should not be forgotten either the delicate financial situation that the current league champion is going through, who also has players of the stature of Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé, Ansu Fati or Raphinha in his line of attack.