08 January 2024 , 00:49
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Joao Felix has seen his wage increase by an astonishing 900 percent after penning a new deal with Barcelona, despite only being on loan at the Camp Nou.
The former Chelsea loanee joined the LaLiga giants from fellow Spanish titans Atletico Madrid on a temporary basis last summer. Upon arrival, Felix was given a yearly salary of £344,440 due to the precarious financial position Barcelona found themselves in.
The Portugal international was only too happy to agree to the deal, such was his desire to get the move over the line before the window closed. At the time, Felix explained how his move to Barcelona was a "dream" and those running the show have now decided to reward his efforts.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas confirmed that Felix's salary had been increased 10 times over in a bid to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules. As a result, the former Benfica sensation is now set to pocket as much as £3,444,400 per year, or £66,000 a week.
Spanish outlet Sport have claimed that Barcelona's board of directors have had serious issues trying to deal with the number of financial problems currently plaguing the the club. However, Felix is viewed as one of the shining lights of the campaign so far.
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A one-time Golden Boy winner, Felix has bagged six goals and three assists in 21 appearances for the Blaugrana this term. It marks a significantly improved return from his spell with Chelsea, where he managed four goals and zero assists in total.
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Joao Felix has seen his Barcelona wage increase by 900 per cent (JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)Felix will need to maintain his form over the course of the second half of the campaign. Barcelona currently sit seven points adrift of top spot, which is currently occupied by arch rivals Real Madrid. Girona are also above Xavi's side in second.
It has been a hit-and-miss campaign so far, with Barcelona drawing five games already alongside two defeats from 19 league games. And goals have been hard to come by - the five-time Champions League winners are the lowest scorers of the top five teams in the Spanish top flight.
Given his new and improved contract, the pressure will be on Felix to start finding the net even more and inspire a title charge as Xavi's men look to retain their crown as LaLiga champions.