Joao Felix ‘is told he can leave Atletico Madrid if a suitable offer arrives’, with ‘Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle all placed on red alert’ in four-way Premier League transfer dogfight
Felix’s game time has been hit by the return of old favourite Antoine Griezmann to the Wanda Metropolitano, and a series of injuries have also derailed his season.
And now, according to AS, club president Gil Marin has told Jorge Mendes, Felix’s agent, that if a big enough bid is tabled then the wonderkid will be able to go.
The playmaker, 22, was left on the bench for Atletico’s crunch Champions League group stage clash against Porto – and it has not been ruled out that he leaves soon.
Sensationally, four Premier League teams have been identified as potential suitors.
It is little surprise to see United among them, in light of the club’s previous interest in signing the starlet. It was even claimed that they lodged a lucrative bid.
The shock name is Newcastle, however, despite their money-spinning takeover from a Saudi-led consortium and the departure of the much-maligned Mike Ashley.
Despite the expected difficulties facing the club, with teams understood to be reluctant to offload stars to St James’ Park, Newcastle expect to be busy this winter.
Indeed, the same report from AS goes as far as saying that they have made a approach for Felix, although the player is not convinced by them.
Former Benfica man Felix himself is open to leaving Atletico, and will be able to take his pick over his next destination.
As it stands, Newcastle’s offer is the highest, but is the one the player likes the least.
Felix joined Atletico in an eye-watering deal worth £113million in January 2019, and is the winner of the coveted Golden Boy award from the same year.
Despite the uncertainty over a move, there is no doubting he has a bright future.