Speaking at a media event, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has backed loanee Joao Felix to do well in the ongoing season at FC Barcelona.
The 23-year-old Portuguese international had a falling out at Atletico Madrid after his interview early in the summer when he publicly admitted his desire to join Barça.
After waiting for the Blaugrana until late in the summer, the Portuguese international finally got his move on the transfer deadline day.
Barça have signed Felix on a loan deal with no purchase option and on a very low salary, with the winger’s desire to join proving to be the key in negotiations with Atletico.
Atleti president sees Felix succeeding at Barça
Despite having seen Felix join one of their rivals, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has now backed the Portuguese international to come good at Barcelona and become one of the top players in Europe.
“Let him show everything he has in him, which is a lot. He can be one of the greats of Europe in two years and I am convinced that he will do it at Barcelona,” Cerezo said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
At the same time, though, Cerezo reminded that Felix remains an Atletico Madrid player, stating: “But I have to say that he is an Atlético de Madrid player.”
Barcelona open to permanent move
Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play situation was one of the major reasons behind the club opting for a loan move without a purchase option for Felix as well as his compatriot Joao Cancelo.
However, during his presentation on Wednesday, sporting director Deco admitted that if the players do well over the course of the season, the Blaugrana have every intention to make their moves permanent.
“Neither Cancelo nor Joao Felix have a purchase option. It is a simple one-year transfer. If they do well we will try to retain them, but for now, it is a loan deal,” he said.
Much will depend on how Felix fares over the course of the season and if there are indeed negotiations, Atletico Madrid could demand a significant fee, in case the Portuguese enjoys a solid season at Barcelona.