Man Utd handed January transfer opening for Joao Felix

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been given a massive boost in their bid to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix with news the Spanish giants need to offload players in January.

Felix, 22, joined Atleti from boyhood club Benfica for a huge €126 million back in 2019, but he's struggled with fitness issues, form and simply getting a consistent run in the team.

Diego Simeone has constantly chopped and changed his attack since Felix joined the club, meaning the Portuguese international has only once hit 30 appearances in a single La Liga season. Furthermore, he's currently on a run of six league games without a start.

However, Felix may be given an escape route during the January transfer window due to Atletico Madrid's Champions League group stage exit.

Yannick Carrasco's late missed penalty against Bayer Leverkusen ensured Atleti's elimination from Europe's premium club competition and their loss to Porto on the final matchday meant Simeone's men finished bottom of Group B.

READ: How much will Man Utd have to pay for Joao Felix?

As a result, Atletico need to balance the books by offloading some of their current stars. According to Cadena SER, there are four players who Atleti are willing to sell during the winter transfer window in order to raise funds. Those four players are: Rodrigo de Paul, Thomas Lemar, Carrasco and Felix.

These sales must reportedly happen because Atletico would also like to add reinforcements during the January window, meaning outgoings must occur in order to bring in new blood.

Why do Man Utd want Felix?

Although he's never quite hit the levels expected of him at Atletico Madrid, and is still yet to hit double digits for league goals in a season at the club, Felix remains one of Europe's brightest young talents.

He's still only 22 years old and has a lot to offer a side like Man Utd. With Cristiano Ronaldo unfancied and underperformed and Anthony Martial an unreliable player fitness-wise, Man Utd do need another attacker in central areas.

READ: Joao Felix's Man Utd move could depend on Ronaldo and Mbappe

Felix fills that void and would suit how Erik ten Hag likes his forward to drop deep at times and link play. Furthermore, Felix could benefit from a change in surroundings, with his time at Atleti at risk of petering out spectacularly.

As a result, a move to Man Utd suits all parties: Ten Hag gets a quality forward, Felix escapes Atletico Madrid, and Simeone's side receives the money they need to balance the books.