JOAO FELIX has touched down in Barcelona ahead of his shock loan transfer.
The Atletico Madrid forward, 23, has not featured under Diego Simeone this season.
GettyJoao Felix is set to join Barcelona on loan[/caption]
Instagram @joaofelix79The Portuguese forward flew from Madrid on Friday[/caption]
And now the Portuguese star looks on course to complete his temporary switch to Barca.
Felix missed Atletico Madrid training on Friday and made the short flight across Spain this afternoon with this father and personal trainer.
The group landed in Catalonia at around 4pm UK time and he is now set to undergo a medical before finalising the loan contract.
Spanish clubs have until 11pm UK time – midnight locally – to get their transfer dealings done.
Felix joined Atleti from Benfica for a staggering £112million in 2019 and has gone on to make 131 appearances, scoring 34 goals and winning one LaLiga title.
He spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea but failed to impress.
His four goals in 20 games did not justify his £9.7m loan fee – especially after he was sent off on his debut.
Felix returned to the Wanda Metropolitano at the end of the season.
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But he was pushed aside by Simeone after publicly admitting his dream of playing for Barcelona.
The fiery Argentine said in an interview: “It is normal that in the press the focus is on whether he stays or leaves.
“I already said that there is no one more important than the club, with no exceptions. It’s impossible to be clearer than that.”
Barcelona are also hoping to wrap up a deal to land Joao Cancelo from Manchester City before the deadline.
Ansu Fati left for Brighton on loan for the season.
Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti, Franck Kessie and Ousmane Dembele have also departed the Olympic Stadium – Barca’s temporary home as the Nou Camp gets redeveloped.
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EPAFelix endured a miserable loan spell at Chelsea in 2022-23[/caption]