Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has, on Thursday, provided a fresh insight into the future of transfer-linked frontman Joao Felix.
The subject of Felix’s future has of course taken its place centre stage in the headlines in Spain’s capital once more over the course of the summer to date.
This comes after Premier League giants Chelsea opted against making their loan move for the Portuguese international a permanent one, leaving Felix with little choice but to return to base at the Wanda Metropolitano.
This reunion, however, looks set to prove an altogether short-lived one.
Amid rampant speculation pointing towards another swift departure from Atletico, Felix last month set tongues wagging, in revealing his long-standing desire to link up with Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona:
“I’d love to play for Barça,” he began. “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça. It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
And though he stopped short of revealing whether or not his side’s La Liga rivals are indeed keen on Felix, Atletico’s president did confirm that the attacker has set his sights firmly on a new adventure:
“It’s very clear, João Félix doesn’t want to play for Atléti. Whether other teams want him, that’s another debate,” Cerezo told Jugones La Sexta.
Atlético Madrid president Cerezo: “It’s very clear, João Félix doesn’t want to play for Atléti”. 🚨⛔️🇵🇹
“Whether other teams want him, that’s another debate”, via @jugoneslasexta. pic.twitter.com/BXjoMYIedb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2023
