Barcelona declined the opportunity to sign Joao Felix permanently in the January transfer window, before the 25-year-old Portuguese forward eventually secured a loan move to AC Milan until the end of the season. Despite having spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Barcelona, the Catalan giants opted against a permanent deal, leading to Felix returning to Atletico Madrid before his eventual switch to Milan.
With Felix now set to revive his career in Serie A, speculation has grown about why Barcelona rejected the chance to keep him and whether he has a future at Atletico Madrid or elsewhere.
📊 Player Profile & Career Stats
- Name: Joao Felix
- Age: 25 (Born November 10, 1999)
- Nationality: Portugal
- Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
- Height: 181 cm
- Current Club: AC Milan (on loan from Atletico Madrid)
🔹 2024/25 Season Performance (Chelsea & AC Milan)
- Premier League Appearances (Chelsea): 10
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
- Serie A Appearances (AC Milan): 5
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 2
📈 Career Record (All Clubs)
- Total Appearances: 220
- Goals: 62
- Assists: 38
- International Caps (Portugal): 39 (9 goals)
🔎 Why Did Barcelona Reject Joao Felix?
🔵 Financial Constraints & Salary Issues
- Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles made a permanent move for Felix difficult.
- His wages were seen as too high given his inconsistent performances.
🔵 Tactical Fit Under Xavi
- Xavi reportedly did not see Felix as a key player for his long-term project.
- The forward struggled for consistency and defensive work rate, which is crucial in Xavi’s system.
🔵 Other Transfer Priorities
- Barcelona preferred to focus on other areas, including midfield reinforcements.
- A move for Vitor Roque and other young attackers made Felix expendable.
⚖️ How Does Felix Compare to Barcelona’s Current Attackers?
| Player | 2024/25 Goals | Assists | Shots per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joao Felix (Chelsea & AC Milan) | 4 | 3 | 2.0 |
| Ferran Torres | 4 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Raphinha | 13 | 6 | 2.1 |
💡 Analysis: Felix struggled to outperform Barcelona’s current options, making his departure a logical move.
💰 AC Milan’s Gamble – Will It Pay Off?
- AC Milan sees Felix as a potential game-changer in their attack.
- If he performs well in Serie A, they could negotiate a permanent deal.
- Atletico Madrid is unlikely to reintegrate Felix, meaning his future is wide open.
👀 Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
💬 “Joao Felix has the talent, but he just doesn’t fit Barcelona’s system.” – @BarcaInsider
💬 “Milan could be the perfect place for Felix to finally shine.” – @SerieAFan
💬 “Atletico don’t want him, Barca don’t want him… Is Felix running out of options?” – @FootballTalk
🏆 Verdict: What’s Next for Joao Felix?
While Barcelona passed on Felix, AC Milan now has a huge opportunity to unlock his potential. If he thrives in Serie A, a permanent move could be on the cards.
With his future at Atletico Madrid uncertain, Felix faces a make-or-break spell in Italy.
📢 What do you think? Should Barcelona have kept Joao Felix, or was moving him on the right decision? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
