Revealed: The Premier League sides pushing for Joao Felix transfer
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 13 Oct 2022 19:30 BST
- 3 min read
Joao Felix could be on the move to the Premier League, with the forward’s future at Atletico Madrid in doubt after falling out of favour with manager Diego Simeone.
Felix still has four years remaining on his deal after joining Atletico from Benfica in 2019 for €126 million but his form has declined this season and he has played just 29 minutes in his last three appearances.
The 22-year-old was an unused substitute during Atletico’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Club Brugge and threw his training bib to the floor in anger after Simeone opted for midfielder Axel Witsel as his final change.
Simeone insisted the decision to leave him on the bench was tactical, while Felix liked a post on social media after the game calling for him to return to Benfica, with the Portuguese international now considering his future at the club.
Spanish outlet Fichajes claims Felix’s has told the club he wants to leave in January and believes he cannot ‘bring out his best version’ under Simeone, with their relationship believed to have become strained.
The report states that the Premier League is the likely destination for Felix, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all listed as potential options, although Atletico had previously insisted interested parties would have to pay the €350m release clause in his contract.
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United were believed to have had an approach for Felix rebuffed in the summer and he could represent a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also linked with Atletico during the window.
However, United’s absence from the Champions League could allow Chelsea to gain an advantage, with the Blues also reportedly enquiring about Felix in the summer.
🚨📲| João Félix liked a post showing a video of him throwing his bib and showing his anger towards Simeone.
The caption of the post: “Atletico need to win, and in the last substitution a forward comes off for a defender to enter.” pic.twitter.com/dFpsIcfkaz— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) October 12, 2022
Arsenal are listed as the ‘best sporting option’ for Felix and he would match the Gunners’ profile but they would be unlikely to match the bids that Chelsea or United would be able to offer.
Atletico reportedly turned down offers of €130m for Felix and they will likely wish to recoup their club-record fee despite the forward only scoring 30 goals in his 121 games since joining.
