FC Barcelona needs to pay this fee if they want Joao Felix on loan next season

FC Barcelona will try to bring in players in the upcoming summer transfer window by spending the least amount possible. Barcelona wants to sign free agents and keep certain players on loan again to avoid paying a big fee. Two loan players that have been in Barcelona this season are Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo. While the Catalan club plans to keep Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal, Barcelona wants to sign Felix on another season-long loan. It would save the club lots of money instead of signing him permanently, but now Atletico Madrid wants a fee for the loan deal to happen.

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Sport reports that Joao Félix wants to stay in Barcelona and never wants to return to Atletico Madrid as long as Simeone is the coach. The fans don't want him at Atletico, nor the players themselves. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have not yet agreed on a simple loan extension for Joao Félix, which is what Barça wants. However, Atletico Madrid wants a loan with a $54 million mandatory buy option. Atletico Madrid is exploring selling Joao Félix to a club in Saudi Arabia, but the player does not want that option.

Xavi spoke yesterday ahead of the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid game that takes place today and talked about Joao Felix facing his former club. Xavi said, "Joao Félix's treatment by Atlético fans tomorrow? Personally, I liked the hostile environment. Joao has a strong character and wants to show his talent, which he has a lot of. We will need a lot of personality to win the game. He has all the characteristics to play a great game tomorrow. I see Joao Félix calm and motivated, extra-motivated. He’s coming back to what has been his home. He already had a great game in the first round, hopefully he can do it again."

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was asked about Joao Felix

Diego Simeone was asked about his former player ahead of the game. Simeone said, "Joao Félix? I am very respectful of players who play for other teams. I don't normally give my opinion on any of them and this will be no exception."