Graeme Souness believes Portugal star Joao Felix has failed to fulfil his potential at Atletico Madrid. But the Arsenal and Aston Villa transfer target may improve under a new manager.
Felix headed for La Liga on a seven-year contract in 2019 as the Colchoneros agreed to pay Benfica £113m. The deal made the playmaker the fifth-most expensive transfer of all time at just 19 years old. But Felix has struggled to live up to his price tag at the Metropolitano.
Part of the problem, for Souness, is the style Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone favours does not suit Felix’s build. Instead, it restricts the 23-year-old who has shone at the World Cup in a more fluid Portugal system under Fernando Santos than how he plays for his club.
“Such a lot of money, a burden to carry around with you,” Souness stated on ITV 1 (10/12, 14:45). “I don’t think he’s fulfilled his expected potential at [Atletico] Madrid. With Simeone being the manager there, they have a very pragmatic approach.
“You can see he’s not physically the biggest and strongest. And, maybe, under a different manager, playing in a slightly different system, [then] he’ll be better. But I think the jury is still very much out on him.”
Aston Villa still lead Arsenal for a transfer for Felix from Atletico Madrid
Felix has amassed 33 goals and 18 assists over 129 appearances for Atletico Madrid across all competitions to date. He has never scored more than the eight goals managed over 24 games last season in a single La Liga campaign. He set a high of six assists during 2020/21.
The Champions League has also proven a tricking stage for the playmaker to master. Felix has provided seven goals and two assists across 27 appearances in the UEFA tournament. But he has never scored more than three or created more than a goal in a single campaign.
Still, despite his troubles in Spain, the Benfica product remains highly sought after among English clubs. Journalist Paul Brown has reported that the Arsenal hierarchy are ‘big fans’ of Felix. The Times also cites Manchester United, plus an asking price of €100m (£86m).
Yet Marca notes Aston Villa are the best-placed side to secure Felix’s transfer from Atletico Madrid. Unai Emery’s new team have thrown their hat into the ring for the Portuguese. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is also keen to see the midfielder seal a move to the Premier League.
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