Joao Felix rules out Atletico departure despite Premier League interest
Cameron Smith
- 25 Jun 2022 15:58 CDT
- 3 min read
Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix has insisted he will stay at the club next season, despite interest from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
Felix, 22, joined Atletico for a club record €126 million from boyhood club Benfica back in 2019, but hasn't quite lived up to the expectations placed on his young shoulders when he arrived for such a large fee.
The Portugal international has scored just 29 goals across his three-year spell at the Wanda Metropolitano so far, and has struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone's defensive style of play.
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Despite his form since arriving on Spanish shores, Felix's reputation remains high and he is still a player considered to be one of the most talented of his generation. As such, the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal have been linked with a move this summer.
Pep Guardiola's side have brought in Julian Alvarez from River Plate and Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, so a space for Felix may not have even been possible, while Arsenal do have a vacant spot through the middle, although they've prioritised Gabriel Jesus.
Tottenham are also a side who have reported an interest in Felix, but they appear to be set on other targets, including Everton's Richarlison.
In any case, Felix has come out and admitted that he won't be leaving Atletico this summer.
What has Felix said?
"An exit from Atletico is not on the table," the 22-year-old explained to Portuguese media outlet Maisfutebol.
"I am calm about my future, and aware of what I can do, I feel good about myself. I am still on holiday, I have just started training to prepare pre-season but I'm not thinking about football too much.
"I never think about what I cost! I've always said that it's people who focus on those values. I never think about it, I just concentrate on my work."
The versatile forward has played in multiple positions at Atletico, notably as a second striker or off either flank, and enjoyed a fruitful end to last season, scoring six in his final seven league starts before suffering a hamstring injury that cut his campaign short.
