Atletico Madrid Set to Demand €80 Million From Barcelona for Joao Felix

• Barcelona could pay as high as €80 million to sign Joao Felix permanently
• Felix joined the Catalans on a season-long loan deal from Atletico Madrid
• The Portuguese star has scored three goals in his last two games for Barca

Atletico Madrid will not let Joao Felix leave the club cheaply as they reportedly are set to demand a huge transfer fee from Barcelona for the skillful Portugal forward.

The 23-year-old has made a fine start to his career since joining the Catalans on a season-long loan deal from La Rojiblancos following a falling-out with Diego Simeone.

In just three games across all competitions for Barcelona, Felix, who arrived on loan deadline day, has scored three goals and set up one more, underlining himself as a key member of Xavi’s current squad.

According to Barca Universal, Atletico Madrid are likely to seek €80 million for the permanent purchase of the forward next summer, with the 23-year-old keen to remain with the reigning La Liga champions.

What are the latest La Liga transfer rumours? Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid

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Felix is still under contract with Atleti, with his present deal set to expire in 2029, but the Madrid-based club are desperate to offload the attacker as early as next summer.

Felix takes pay cut to force Barcelona move

Meanwhile, Felix has acknowledged he took a 'significant' pay cut to join Barcelona after sealing a deadline day transfer to the reigning La Liga champions from Atletico Madrid, SB Nation reports.

The 23-year-old forward has been blown away by his first few months with Xavi's team, making an immediate impact after scoring three goals in his first two starts for the Catalans.

Felix claims Barcelona is ideal for him as he hopes to continue his good form, which has seen the La Liga giants go on a four-consecutive winning streak.

Joao Felix equals Lionel Messi’s record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Felix achieving an extraordinary milestone previously associated with Lionel Messi following his brace and assist as the Catalan giants demolished Royal Antwerp in their Champions League group opener on Tuesday night.

The forward's remarkable involvement in goals during the initial minutes of the match made him the first Barcelona player to both score and assist within the first 20 minutes of a Champions League game since Messi did so against Chelsea back in 2018.