“I didn't hear anything,” was the reply from Joao Felix when he was asked about Manchester United’s rumoured interest in him over the summer.
Perhaps the striker now wishes he had amid his reported fall-out with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone. The 23-year-old has not started a league game since being taken off after an hour in September’s loss to rivals Real Madrid.
That hasn’t stopped him from showing his quality over the past few months, though. Felix scored three goals from the bench in his final two La Liga outings ahead of the World Cup break before netting one and assisting two for his country in Qatar.
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The attacker impressed many with his displays but he will discover what Simeone made of his performances on Thursday when Atletico face Elche in their first game back.
But club CEO Marin Gil suggested that Felix might not care what his manager thinks. "I'd love him to stay, personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea,” he said. Simeone has been playing a cryptic game when answering questions about Felix’s future.
"No one is indispensable and things will be as they have to be,” he said last week when asked about Felix, before adding: "[Felix] is very important for us. He has had a good World Cup, he participated in goals with the importance that the coach gave him".
With Cristiano Ronaldo gone, United have been linked with a number of forwards including Felix. Cody Gakpo is moving to Liverpool after some United interest while Darwin Nunez also moved to the Merseyside club over the summer.
Neither had many pre-existing connections with anyone at Old Trafford - Felix has two. Both Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes were key parts of Portugal’s run to the World Cup semi-finals.
Fernandes had a stellar tournament with two goals and three assists, the playmaker setting up Felix’s sole tournament goal. The Atletico star had already praised his teammate for his abilities on the field, speaking ahead of his club’s Champions League tie with United in February.
"Bruno is a very, very good player. It is very easy to play with him,” he explained. “When he has the ball, he always chooses the best option, to give you a chance to score. That is why he gets a lot of assists.”
Felix is clearly a fan and loves playing the United’s No.8, which would be a factor in his decision-making if the Reds came in with an offer. However, whether they do or not is a different matter.
Felix’s subsequent comments may make the United hierarchy think twice: “My best position is as the second forward. Playing like a No 10, with a guy in front of me.”
Ten Hag needs an out-and-out goal-scorer in January and nothing less. Fernandes himself occupies the space behind Anthony Martial and so if Felix wants to play in his favoured position, he would have to oust his friend which would be unlikely.
This factor could put both parties off, especially when just nine of his last 24 club goals have come while playing as a centre-forward. Felix’s praise of Fernandes may be the reason he does not join United - he would not be able to occupy his preferred role.
And United will not be satisfied with his conversion rate while leading the line, either. So perhaps Felix might still not ever "hear anything".
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