Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has on Friday hinted that Barcelona loanee João Félix is likely to stay put in Catalunya beyond the season’s close.
Frontman Félix has of course spent the season to date lining out for Xavi’s Barcelona.
And, despite regular criticism in the media, the Portuguese, for the most part, has proven himself a positive influence, adding some guile and ingenuity to the Blaugrana’s ranks in the final third.
Never was this more evident than this past weekend, when a sumptuous pass on Félix’s part broke down a stubborn Las Palmas backline, laying on Raphinha for the only goal of a 1-0 win.
The widespread understanding, in turn, is that those in a position of power at Barca are keen on extending Félix’s stay beyond its current close in the summer.
And, if the latest comments on the part of the aforementioned Enrique Cerezo are anything to go by, the 24-year-old’s parent club appear equally open to working out such a deal.
Speaking to the media, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, on Friday, Atlético’s president was inevitably asked for his take on Félix’s recent comments, confirming his hope of continuing at Barcelona next season.
And, in his response, Cerezo went on to suggest that as much would make ‘everyone happy’:
“Barcelona are lucky to have a very great player like João Félix.
“It is normal for João to want to stay at Barça because he plays a leader’s role there. He is a great player and the natural thing is that he wants to stay there. Barcelona wants him and loves him. Everyone is happy. He has adapted very well. We wish him all the best.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
