Joao Félix’s relationship with coach Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid has reached a boiling point, according to reports from Spain.
The Portuguese striker appears set to leave the club after differences arose between the pair and his agent, Jorge Mendes, is busy trying to arrange a loan move away from Wanda Metropolitano.
Felix played for the Colchoneros last week and scored before going off injured.
And according to the commentators of the radio program of the Cadena SER El Larguero (via AS), far from marking the beginning of a rapprochement between the coach and the star, it has precipitated a worsening of relations and an increase in tension.
“Simeone’s anger with João is growing,” said commentator Julio Pulido.
Miguel Martín Talavera blamed the exorbitant loan fee the club is demanding for the rise in tensions.
“Nobody in the middle of the season is going to come up with the amount that Atlético is asking for, not even the Premier League clubs,” he said.
“[Felix] He played on the 29th, his calves went up and he has not returned to train with the team yet.
“He has not even gone to treat physical problems and has been seen at a New Year’s Eve party. She hasn’t done much to be here tomorrow.
Pulido responded that “Simeone is angry with all this.
“He wants to know now if he stays or not. They told him weeks ago that this was going to be fixed soon. He sees that the days go by and this is not solved.
“And the anger is growing because of what Talavera says. The footballer is not as involved as he should be ”.
Recent reports indicated that, along with Arsenal and Chelsea, United would be willing to do business with Atleti if the loan fee, currently estimated at around €21m including wages, were reduced to around 13 million euros.
With Simeone mounting pressure for the situation to be resolved quickly, Atlético executives must act quickly.
