Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to cash in on Joao Felix ahead of the January transfer window. Cadena SER demands that Atlético de Madrid sign the signing of Félix. Felix previously arrived at the LaLiga club from Benfica in 2019. The deal was valued at more than $100m.
While Felix has shown glimpses of what he can do on the pitch, he hasn’t exactly been consistent with Atleti. In fact, the Portuguese international’s best scoring campaign in Spain has been just eight goals.
Atleti manager Diego Simeone has even benched Felix in the hope that the move will motivate the youngster. The brave move has certainly received media attention in Spain.
Simeone has previously been asked about not playing with Felix in more matches. “Do you think I’m not playing Joao to lose? No coach does that,” said the coach. “When he returns to play well in training, work, recover the goalscoring touch, which we need, he will play”.
Félix has only started five times in LaLiga in the 12 games the club has played so far this season. He has even only played a full 90 minutes just once. The former prodigy finally scored his first league goal of the season at the end of October.
In the European game, Simeone has relied on Félix to start a Champions League match just once since September. The striker did not score or assist during the group stage of the competition.
European problems push Joao Félix out of Atlético de Madrid
Along with his problems on the pitch, Atleti might also be willing to part ways with Felix due to his problems in the Champions League. A fourth-place finish in the group eliminated the European mainstays from intercontinental competition. Porto, Club Bruges and Bayer Leverkusen surpassed Atlético’s five points.
Possible suitors for Joao Félix included Manchester United. The Old Trafford team wanted to bring the Portuguese back last summer according to reports. Although the Red Devils did not make an official offer for the player, they reportedly asked Atleti about Felix’s availability. The LaLiga team quickly rejected United’s requests.
United and other top teams in Europe could test Felix’s availability next January. The Portuguese international is still only 22 years old and he has plenty of time to improve his career.
PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto
