AC Milan star Olivier Giroud could play a huge role in determining where Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix plays his football for the next six months. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a loan move to the Premier League, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all showing an interest.
Mild interest in Felix first emerged at the World Cup after he delivered a number of impressive performances for Portugal. Atletico CEO Gil Marin also made a huge transfer admission with the Portuguese star also making his own stance clear regarding a departure.
Marin said: "Joao Felix has top level but because of his relationship with Simeone and game time… we feel that makes sense to consider potential bids to sell him." Felix provided his own retort perhaps indirectly to this comments making his feelings clear on his national team preference.
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"The way of playing with Portugal and then at the club is different. When the conditions are favourable, things go better."
Atletico and Felix looked to be going their separate ways but his goal in Atletico's return match against Elche may have changed Diego Simeone's stance on him. The striker scored for Los Rojiblancos against Elche, to which Simeone responded: "While he’s here, I'll try to get the best out of Joao Felix for the club. Then we will see what’s gonna happen."
While there is Premier League interest, there is a rather large £18.5million stumbling block preventing any team from really pushing for Felix in January. According to The Athletic, the conversations involving Felix's agent, Jorge Mendes, have focused on a €21million (£18.5million) package for the remainder of this season, with a €15million (£13.2million) loan fee going to Atletico, and the rest covering the player’s wages.
Understandably many clubs are not willing to pay that fee just to have the player for six months, with Arsenal and Man Utd practically ruling themselves out of the race unless the demand is lowered.
After missing out on Cody Gakpo, United are still hopeful of acquiring a striker and a new report has revealed one former Premier League striker they have their eye on.
According to The Times, Olivier Giroud is a player that United have on their radar with his current AC Milan contract set to expire in the summer of 2023. If the Red Devils decide to make a move for the 36-year-old, it could open the door for both Chelsea and Arsenal to bring Felix to their respective clubs if Atletico lower their loan price.
The Frenchman, who played for both Chelsea and Arsenal, is one of several Milan players close to the end of their current deal, with the Italian club also working on extending the stays of Ismael Bennacer, Chelsea transfer target Rafael Leao and Giroud.
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