Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that his club still want to sign Joao Felix on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window despite the recent speculation.
The 24-year-old has scored seven goals and registered five assists in 28 appearances for the Catalan outfit since arriving on loan from Atletico Madrid during last summer's transfer window.
Felix's form has dropped off over the last few weeks, though, and a recent report claimed that staff members at the club had become concerned by his dip in form.
Barcelona have said on a number of occasions this season that they are keen to sign both Felix and on-loan Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on a permanent basis during the summer market.
Felix's form had led to suggestions that the La Liga champions were considering changing their stance, but Laporta has confirmed that the club are still pursuing a permanent deal for the forward.
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"Deco (sporting director) is working on both of them continuing," Laporta told RAC1 when asked whether permanent deals for both Felix and Cancelo were still on the club's agenda.
Laporta also provided an update on the club's financial situation ahead of the summer market.
"If financial fair play is complied with, this is the end of a phase, which is part of the legacy we have received. We have a budget that, if it is met, will give us profits," he added.
"We have reduced the sporting wage bill by €172m (£147.1m). The sporting wage bill was 98% and now it is 57%. To generate fair play, we needed the levers and now we will have more because of our work."
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Felix signed a new contract with Atletico before moving to Barcelona last summer, with his terms at Wanda Metropolitano due to run until the end of the 2028-29 campaign.
The Portuguese has scored 34 goals and registered 18 assists in 131 appearances for his parent club since making the move from Benfica in the summer of 2019.
Cancelo has also been an important player for Barcelona this season, making 24 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering three assists in the process.
The right-back has a contract with Man City until June 2027, but he is expected to be allowed to leave the Premier League champions during the summer market.
Cancelo is set to be involved in Barcelona's La Liga clash with Alaves on Saturday, but Felix is currently on the sidelines due to an ankle problem.
Matt Law
