Joao Felix has struggled to live up to expectations since arriving at Atletico Madrid following a £108million transfer from Benfica in 2019.
Felix signed for Atletico at just 18 years old as one of the hottest talents in Europe, but has struggled to kick on as well as many expected since joining Diego Simeone's side. The transfer raised eyebrows as one of the most exciting attacking talents joined a team renowned for their defensive setup.
Arsenal are just one of many clubs to be linked with a more for the Portugal international with ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand previously speaking on how Felix's talent is being wasted at Atletico. Earlier this year football.london reported that the Gunners were interested in signing the Portugal international, with Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his frontline, but a move never materialised as Gabriel Jesus signed from Manchester City instead.
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Graeme Souness believes Felix made the wrong decision to join Atletico Madrid and is yet to be convinced by the talented forward. Speaking on ITV's World Cup coverage ahead of Portugal's match against Ghana, Souness said: "We [Souness and Joe Cole) were saying it might not be a good fit because they don’t play on the front foot, and I’m yet to be convinced - I think it was £120million, he may have been 18 - and I’m yet to be convinced.
"You might be right, maybe if he was in a team that were on the front foot, wanting to dominate the ball we might see more of him in threatening areas but I just see him playing on the edge of games. I’m yet to be convinced."
Arteta's style of play at Arsenal has seen the Gunners become a free-flowing attack-minded team this season with Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all interchanging positions and causing opposition teams problems. Joe Cole agreed with Souness and feels a team like Barcelona, who Arteta began his senior career with, could get the best out of Felix.
The former Chelsea star added: "I think he (Félix) is a different animal in the Portuguese team. I think the next club that gets him will get the best out of him.
"Diego Simeone, for a player who likes to drop into pockets and get on the ball, and play with the ball all the time, he’d have probably been more suited to a Barcelona or something like that. I quite like him, but I’d agree with the lads, it hasn’t quite happened for him. Especially with the price tag, to have that on his shoulders."
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