Man United could have yet another chance to sign £60m ace, who Fernandes said has ‘great potential’

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Manchester United may be offered another chance to sign Joao Felix in the summer with the one-time Premier League loanee facing an uncertain future at Barcelona.

As ever when it comes to the reigning (and soon to be former La Liga champions), the problem is a financial one.

Barcelona want to keep Joao Felix, the Portugal international on loan at the Camp Nou from Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid. But they can’t afford to. At least, not on a permanent basis.

Marca report that Joao Felix – who has been linked with Manchester United throughout much of the Erik ten Hag era – is valued by Atletico Madrid at a minimum of £60 million. A perennially crisis-hit Barca side are in no position to meet those demands, no matter how many economic ‘levers’ they pull, with Marca adding that the cash-strapped Catalans are hoping that Atletico will extend Felix’s loan deal by a further 12 months.

Manchester United held Joao Felix talks in 2023

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Atletico would agree to such an idea. But with it already very apparent that there ain’t enough room in this town for both Felix and Diego Simeone, one suspects that Atletico would much prefer to cut ties and wash their hands of the Portugal international.

And this is where Manchester United come in. Or, perhaps, they could do.

Reports in Spain claimed that United enquired about Felix nearly 12 months ago, the former Benfica wonderkid impressing on loan at Chelsea and scoring a wonderful solo goal in a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

Paulo Futre, who is close to Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes, then claimed that talks were held with the Red Devils, Financial Fair Play limitations probably scuppering any hopes United may have had on building on those discussions.

“He told me that he had spoken to Manchester United,” Futre told CADENA SER. “I verified what he told me because I have friends (connected with Felix’s camp), and it was true.”

Barcelona cannot afford £60 million fee

With his 25^th birthday coming up, no one could argue that Felix has lived up to the potential that once made him the fourth-most expensive footballer in history. Even at Barcelona, despite eight goals and five assists in all competitions, glimpses of his admittedly outrageous natural ability have been fleeting.

What’s more, United’s new decision-makers Ineos appear keen to move away from a profile-over-potential approach to recruitment. One which has left the club hamstrung by a series of high-earning, underperforming big-name players.

But still, footballers with the game-breaking creativity of Felix do not come around too often. And with Man United’s goal difference again stuck around freezing temperatures, the Joao Felix option may still be one worth giving some consideration to.

“I know that Joao has a lot of quality and great potential,” United captain Bruno Fernandes said of Felix.

“He’s a player who can reach a level that few others can. He has all the possible qualities to reach it. He’s a very good guy and has a lot of quality. At Atletico or elsewhere, he will succeed because of the good head he has on his shoulders.”