Ansu Fati’s exit could be key for Barcelona to sign target preferred by Joan Laporta

With not much time left in the summer transfer window, FC Barcelona are still working on ways to improve the roster.

While Joao Cancelo’s signing is impending, it appears that the La Liga champions will also go for his compatriot and wantaway Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix before the window closes.

The Portuguese international has already declared that he wishes to join the Blaugrana this summer and is prepared to wait until the end of the transfer window to see if a move materialises.

Fati could be the key

Now, journalist Alex Pintanel is reporting that the departure of Ansu Fati could be the key to unlocking ‘Operation Joao Felix’ in the final days of the window.

The 20-year-old La Masia graduate has opened the doors for an exit and is being sought by several top clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, and even Atletico Madrid.

The Blaugrana wish to offload Fati on a season-long loan deal and the academy graduate’s departure could end up opening the doors for Felix to arrive.

Joan Laporta determined to sign Felix

It is no secret that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a huge admirer of Joao Felix.

The president has previously admitted that he wanted to sign the 23-year-old as part of Antoine Griezmann’s move to Atletico Madrid a couple of years back but it did not come to fruition.

However, he has continued to desire to bring Felix to the club, and his close ties with the forward’s agent, Jorge Mendes, have served to further reinforce the idea.

The Barça supremo is prepared to go until the end of the window to try and make the deal happen and the player is also willing to wait for the Catalan giants.

If the move does not go through, Felix will be headed to Saudi Arabia, where he has a number of admirers.

As of now, ‘Operation Joao Felix’ could hinge on Ansu’s impending exit.