Revealed: The Barcelona star who could join Atletico Madrid in Joao Felix swap deal this summer

Barcelona's President Joan Laporta has publicly expressed his desire to retain Felix beyond the summer. However, the financial situation of the club will not allow Laporta to give in to the financial demands of Atletico which could reportedly be around €80 million (£69.3m/$84.8m). Hence, according to journalist Marcos Duran, the Catalan would look to trade veteran defender Inigo Martinez for the player.

Martinez has proven to be a valuable asset for Barcelona, offering consistent support to the team despite occasional injury setbacks. While Martinez has enjoyed his time at Barcelona, he harbours a desire for a more prominent role within the squad. Despite initially struggling for regular playing time, Martinez gradually integrated himself into the team's setup during the season. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid's interest in Martinez is substantial, especially considering the potential departure of Mario Hermoso and fitness concerns surrounding Jose Maria Gimenez.

However, the final decision regarding Martinez's future hinges on various factors, including the status of Ronald Araujo. Should Araujo depart, Martinez's chances of staying at Barcelona would increase. Conversely, if Araujo remains and Martinez seeks more playing time, a departure may be on the cards.

Atletico are expected to monitor Martinez closely until the end of the campaign before they make a decision on the player. But it remains to be seen if the Rojiblancos accept a straight swap or insist on a player plus cash deal to permanently offload Felix from their books.