Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have been told that it would take over £18million to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix on loan for just six months.
The Spanish side performed a U-turn on the Portuguese forward’s future ahead of the January window opening, with reports initially suggesting that they were willing to let him go after relations soured with boss Diego Simeone. An £86m fee was tipped to be enough to secure the former Benfica starlet’s signature on a permanent basis.
However, Atleti have altered their demands as they continue to offer out Felix’s services. As per The Athletic, Arsenal, Chelsea and United have been approached regarding a deal for the forward, with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes at the heart of negotiations.
The three clubs are on the hunt for attacking recruits. Gabriel Jesus' injury has exposed the Premier League leaders’ lack of depth whilst the Blues and United are limited on forward options. The Spanish side are believed to want to send Felix out on loan but are demanding a huge fee to sanction a temporary exit.
The report adds Simeone and Co. are aiming to receive a total financial package of €21million (£18.6m) in order to let him leave. That would comprise a base €15m (£13.2m) loan fee, as well as Felix’s gross salary of €6m (£5.3m).
It remains to be seen whether any club would be willing to pay that amount to sign Felix for the forthcoming half-season. Felix’s situation marks a sharp decline for a player once tipped for greatness. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene with Portuguese giants Benfica before making a £113million move to the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer of 2019.
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He has gone on to represent Atletico on 130 occasions, scoring 34 times Felix has just five goals to his name in all competitions this season, but one of those did come in his most recent outing as he found the net in Atleti’s 2-0 victory over Elche after the World Cup.
Simeone refused to comment about Felix’s immediate future in Spain after being quizzed by reporters following the full-time whistle. "I keep commenting the same as days ago," the Argentine said. "I'm thinking about the players who are here with me and trying to squeeze them, bring out the best for the club.
"After, what has to happen has to happen. [Antoine] Griezmann, Joao and [Alvaro] Morata combined well, it creates a situation for us to do damage. I'm used to giving everything until the last moment, looking for the paths for the best for the club and for the team."
Felix still has three-and-a-half years left to run on the long-term contract that he signed with Atletico Madrid.
