One key factor keeping Joao Felix to Barcelona deal on the table amid doubts | OneFootball

As Barcelona focus their efforts on signing Nico Williams, all other deals have been put on the backburner, including that of Joao Felix. The 25-year-old forward is due back in preseason this week with Atletico Madrid, and the only certainty on his future is that neither club nor player want him to be there come September.

Amid recent links to Benfica and Aston Villa, Matteo Moretto has revealed to Football España that a Premier League move is looking most likely for the Portuguese. In fact, there are serious doubts about a potential return to Barcelona, which according to reports from other outlets, will only occur at the end of the transfer window, and on Barcelona’s terms, which also means a loan deal.

Moretto explained that the key factor keeping a potential deal alive is agent Jorge Mendes. He is aware that Felix would love to return to Barcelona as a priority, and thus Mendes is trying to keep the lights on.

If things go the way that Barcelona want to, then the Blaugrana will be lining up with Nico Williams on the left side, and as things stand, Raphinha competing for minutes with him and Lamine Yamal. There is still uncertainty over what will happen with Ansu Fati too, which means there could be three players in Felix’s most likely position already, and if Hansi Flick does want to play 4-2-3-1, then there will be similar competition for the spot behind Robert Lewandowski.