- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that the representatives of Joao Felix has spoken to a number of clubs about a move following his return to Atletico Madrid.
The last few years have been a struggle for Portuguese forward Joao Felix, who originally moved to Atletico Madrid from Benfica for around £113 million, as per Sky Sports.
A disastrous loan move to Chelsea, despite showing some promising signs, and another more successful temporary spell at Barcelona has been Felix’s last two seasons in a nutshell.
The future of the forward is up in the air and Atletico’s president Enrique Cerezo was coy about Felix amid being offered to Manchester City.
Barcelona, Turkish sides and Saudi teams keen on Felix
Atletico’s stance remains they want to sell the player. The club’s hierarchy do not believe there is any future for him in Madrid, despite the fact he has five-years left on his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Felix has interest from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia – but this is understood to not be high on his agenda as he prepares for his next move.
That means a loan deal is the most likely outcome – which is the only reason his former club Benfica are in the mix, they would happily take him back.
We also understand that Barcelona – who had Felix on-loan last season, remain keen on the Portuguese an indeed they would ideally like to bring Felix and compatriot Joao Cancelo, who also spent the season on-loan at Barca, back to the club.
During his time at Barcelona, he seemingly impressed former manager Xavi following a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard said of Felix, as per One Football: “He played a very good game, very important, especially when we didn’t have the ball. It was a game for him. He made a difference for us again.”
Whilst Alvaro Morata, who used to be one of Felix’s teammates for Atletico, hailed the Portuguese forward as ‘special’ when he spoke to GOAL back in 2022.
Aston Villa are interested in a move for Felix
A return to the Premier League cannot be ruled out, either. Indeed, sources have told HITC that Aston Villa have indicated their interest in the Portuguese forward.
Villa’s sporting director Monchi is understood to have made moves on the deal after talks with Unai Emery, with the former Villarreal manager said to like the player.
As is the case with other clubs, a loan deal for Felix to move to Villa Park may well be the only viable option this summer and the two clubs have certainly talked about a proposal.
Villa have already been busy in the transfer market this summer with confirmation coming yesterday that the Villains have completed the signing of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, but the signing of Felix could be a gamechanger.
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