Jorge Mendes ‘does not stop’ trying to secure a transfer away from Atletico Madrid for his client, Joao Felix, with Barcelona and reportedly Arsenal keen to sign the Portuguese star.
That’s according to Goal, who note Mendes is unyielding in his attempt to prise Felix from the Wanda Metropolitano. The super-agent believes now is the right time for the forward to embark on a new challenge from the La Liga outfit, three-years after joining for £113m.
Felix still has four-years to run on his contract in Madrid after penning a deal to 2026 upon leaving Benfica. But the 22-year-old is not occupying a key role in Diego Simeone’s side. He has started just nine of 19 La Liga outings so far this season for five goals and three assists.
Cadiz were Felix’s latest victim on Friday, when the forward broke the deadlock after just three-minutes. He had also scored twice in his prior Spanish top-flight outing against Real Betis to win 3-1. While netting in his last Champions League tie against Manchester United.
Atletico Madrid are confident that qualifying for the Champions League again next season should be enough to keep Felix. The Colchoneros do not want to or need to sell their best players, but accept they will face a different financial outlook without elite UEFA fixtures.
Mendes ‘does not stop’ trying to sell Arsenal target Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin particularly has no intention of selling Felix in the summer, despite Mendes’ attempts. The Wanda Metropolitano hierarchy are also aware of interest from Barcelona in the 20-cap talent, with the Camp Nou outfit increasingly keen on a deal.
Arsenal could also present Mendes the route out of Atletico Madrid he hopes to secure for Felix in the next transfer window. Football.london report the Gunners are keen on the 22-year-old, who the Independent’s Miguel Delaney claims was offered to Mikel Arteta’s side.
It is likely that Mendes was the one to reach out to the north Londoners. But Arteta may need Atletico Madrid to miss out on Champions League qualification if Arsenal are to fight Barcelona and prise Felix from the Colchoneros’ clutches in the summer transfer window.
Arteta will also likely need to guide the Gunners into UEFA’s premier club competition to strengthen their appeal. And the Spaniard will no doubt hope Felix adapts well to the Premier League, having been subject to Roy Keane’s criticism at international level.
“Felix when he came on, that guy is an imposter,” Keane said after Portugal lost to Belgium during Euro 2020, via the Daily Mail. “He comes on and the country needs you, just hit the target. He’s what, £100m? If I was [Cristiano] Ronaldo, you’d certainly be going for him.”
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