Amid rumoured interest from Manchester United and reports than Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is open to allowing Joao Felix to leave this summer, the Portuguese sensation has spoken out
Joao Felix has ruled out an Atletico Madrid exit this summer after opening up on his future amid reputed interest from Manchester United.
The Portuguese sensation completed a stunning £113million move to the Spanish capital from Benfica back in the summer of 2019, but has failed to live up to the hype in the three years since. The 22-year-old saw his most recent campaign with Atletico blighted by injuries, and while he has shown moments of brilliance, there has been talk that this summer could see the attacking midfielder move on to pastures new.
Amid links to United and reports the La Liga outfit had offered Felix to several European sides, the Atletico star has now opened up on speculation surrounding his future. And Felix insists he intends on going nowhere this summer.
“A departure from Atlético is not on the table, the Portugal international admitted at an event back in his homeland, as cited by Marca. “I’m fine and focused on Atlético.
“I am calm about the future, aware of what I can do and I am fine with myself. I’m still on vacation, I just started training to prepare for the pre-season, but I’m not thinking too much about football.”
Despite spells on the sidelines through injury last season, the 2021-22 campaign saw Felix registered his best numbers with Atletico to date. The attacker struck eight goals, and registered a further four assists, in 24 La Liga appearances.
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Despite rising to prominence as a 19-year-old after hitting 15 league goals in 26 outings for Benfica in his first senior season in football, the attacker has failed to reach double figures in any of his three seasons with Atletico so far. With Diego Simeone’s side set to lose Luis Suarez on a free transfer this summer, Felix will be expected to take on more of the goalscoring burden next term.
In recent weeks, talk of the attacking midfielder being offloaded has gathered pace. According to Correio da Manha, United are among a clutch of Premier League clubs in the running to sign the forward, who is seen as a ‘strong option’ by new Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag. Both Chelsea and Tottenham are also said to be monitoring the player’s situation ahead of potential bids.
It is thought Spurs in particular could look to exploit Felix’s availability and Atletico’s reported interest in one of their own outcasts. Earlier this month, AS claimed that Simeone is an admirer of Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
The Argentine enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan at Villarreal last season and his displays are thought to have seen the Atletico boss revive his interest in the 26-year-old. Simeone is believed to have been tracking Lo Celso since back in his Real Betis days, even attempting to sign the midfielder in 2019 prior to Tottenham striking a £45m agreement.
As for United, Ten Hag is understood to be in the market for a new attacker this summer. The Red Devils saw first-hand the threat Felix possesses as he netted a stunning header against United in the first leg of pair’s Champions League Round of 16 clash last season – a tie in which Atletico emerged victorious from.
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