Indirect Help! Portugal Coach’s Omission of Felix Lowers His Value, Benefitting Barcelona’s Pursuit

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Portugal’s national team coach Roberto Martínez’s decision not to field forward João Félix has indirectly aided Barcelona, although it is detrimental to Atlético Madrid, the club that owns his rights.

Félix did not feature in Portugal’s first two group stage matches at the European Championship, resulting in a decline in his market value. Despite an underwhelming season at Barcelona, where he was eventually left out by Xavi towards the end, the Catalan club still aims to keep him for the next campaign.

Atlético Madrid had hoped for Félix to boost his valuation through impressive performances in the Euros, potentially fetching them a substantial transfer fee. However, his showing in the tournament has been a disappointment for the Madrid side.

Currently, Félix is valued at €30 million on the German Transfermarkt website, with his price tag continuously dropping. This situation benefits Barcelona, as they aim to acquire him at a lower price.

Barça believes that if Félix continues to be on the bench, Atlético might be compelled to sell him for less. Both Barcelona and Félix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, are also looking to extend the loan period and negotiate a reduced buyout option.

It’s worth mentioning that Portugal has already qualified for the next round, and Martínez may give Félix a starting role in Wednesday’s match against Georgia.

Regardless, Félix’s limited playing time in the Portuguese squad weakens his position and strengthens Barcelona’s hand in future transfer negotiations, allowing them to secure him at a more affordable price.