This is Barcelona's plan to keep Joao Felix after this season

Barcelona had problems last summer to sign the players that coach Xavi Hernandez needed. Financial difficulties forced them to target players who ended contracts with their former clubs and became free agents, such as Ilkay Gundogan and Iñigo Martinez, or to negotiate loan deals, such as Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.

The Portuguese players arrived on the last day of the transfer window to solve serious problems in the squad: the lack of a right-back and the surprise departure of Ousmane Dembélé. And at the start of the season they have lived up to expectations.

Joao Felix, in particular, has surprised everyone with his performances. While his talent is undisputed, in his last experiences at Atlético Madrid and Chelsea he had not shown a convincing level. But Barcelona seems to be his place in the world. That is why the Catalan side are starting to think of a plan to keep him after June 30, 2024, when his loan will expire and he will have to return to Madrid.

In 2019 Los Colchoneros paid more than $100 million for him and now they intend to sell him for at least $80 million. Los Blaugranas can't pay that kind of money right now, but they are thinking about three alternatives that could please Diego Simeone's team as well.

What can they do?

According to Sport newspaper, one of the possible solutions Barcelona are thinking about is to extend Joao Felix's loan for one more season. For that, the player would have to extend his contract with Atlético Madrid for the same period and, in addition, a purchase clause for 2025 could be agreed. Another alternative is for the Catalan side to buy the forward, but for a price of less than $80 million and agreeing payments in installments. And the third option is an exchange: Barcelona have several players that could interest Atlético Madrid, such as Ferrán Torres, Ansu Fati and Clement Lenglet.