Joao Felix Future: Where Next For Atletico Madrid Star?
There are murmurs that Joao Felix could swap the Atletico Madrid kit for some fresh colours in the summer transfer window. Felix, who was acquired by Atleti for £113 million in July 2019, has enjoyed a good campaign in the Spanish capital.
It wasn’t the easiest period of adaptation in his first two seasons under Diego Simeone. Atletico haven’t had their best season by any stretch, but Felix has begun to show the levels of performance that warranted such an enormous fee.
A potential move was reported in January with Manchester City apparently interested after letting Ferran Torres leave for Barcelona.
Simeone was asked if he would understand Felix asking to leave. His response was telling.
“The most important thing is the team. Joao is an important piece of our team. He has to repeat performances like the one he gave the other day at the Bernabeu.
“He played 30-35 minutes and showed all the talent he has. Let’s hope he repeats it, because that’s the player we need.
“I’ve spoken a lot with him. I don’t have anything to explain to you about what needs to be worked on inside. Seeing Joao for just a few minutes, you realise he’s a great player.
Is Simeone Holding Him Back?
There have been signs in the months that have followed of Felix’s growth. He is clearly an important player for Atletico in the coming seasons, but Simeone’s football is not necessarily the best place for a young attacker to develop.
If there is legitimate interest from elsewhere, Atleti could find it hard to keep hold of him.
Any team trying to prise Felix away from the Wanda Metropolitano faces a stern task, however. His release clause is set at an eye-watering £296 million, and his current deal runs until the summer of 2026.
Felix has little leverage with so many years left, though he could obviously follow in the footsteps of some other high-profile players and force his way out. Even if that’s the route he takes, the transfer fee will still be gargantuan.
He was the fourth-most expensive player of all-time when he joined Atletico, and the Colchoneros will be looking to receive most of that back if he moves on.
Joao Felix Transfer Rumours
All the usual names have been linked with Joao Felix so far. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City have popped up in Joao Felix transfer rumours. The same goes for Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG at various points.
The practicality of a move to Camp Nou is curious given their financial strife. Of course, the consensus was similar in January, and the Catalan giants somehow swung a deal for Ferran Torres, so perhaps we shouldn’t rule them out of the Felix sweepstakes just yet.
Concrete reporting has been infrequent in this transfer saga.
Sam Lee of The Athletic gave the clearest indication of a team’s interest, however, in a column about Manchester City’s desire to sign a number nine.
Lee wrote, “Quite how that pans out remains to be seen, considering they have tried to sign Joao Felix on at least three occasions and that he is currently keen to leave Atletico Madrid.”
City are at the forefront of the Erling Haaland transfer news race, and they spent last summer chasing Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lee notes that they have various other strikers they could pursue, including Julian Alvarez, but their long-running interest in Felix suggests they will be involved in any bidding that takes place this summer.
It’s not likely they sign Haaland and Felix, though it would be foolish to rule anything out with City.
Liverpool And Arsenal Interested…
Liverpool were believed to be close to a £63 million deal for Felix just a few months ago.
He would slot right into the number nine role in Jurgen Klopp’s side – the fluidity of their front three is perfect for the Portuguese phenom, though it’s possible the acquisition of Luis Diaz has calmed Liverpool’s interest.
Earlier this year, Miguel Delaney reported that Arsenal had been ‘offered’ Joao Felix. A pursuit of such a high-cost player might depend on the Gunners qualifying for the Champions League, but they definitely have a need in the final third.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recently departed and Alexandre Lacazette is expected to follow him out the door in the summer at the end of his contract.
Arsenal have plenty of options for a new striker, however. Gabriel Jesus has recently been suggested as a target, as has Alexander Isak.
Felix teaming up with his compatriots Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes is going to be a hot topic if he becomes available.
United obviously have the money to swing such a deal, yet his fit in this squad would be clunky. The Red Devils are better off spending their cash elsewhere, but when has that stopped them before?
After making an ill-advised move to Atletico, it will be fascinating to see what Felix prioritises in his next club. An immediate chance of trophies will not necessarily correspond with the clubs best for his long-term development.
Still only 22, Felix has time on his side, but his next transfer could go a long way to defining his career at the top and whether he can reach his unquestionably lofty potential.
