Atletico Madrid are prepared to part ways with forward Joao Felix on loan this January, but only if someone pays a small fortune for his services, it has been reported.
Felix has failed to live up to expectations since his record move to the Spanish capital from Benfica in 2019, and has had several fallings out with head coach Diego Simeone over both his gametime and the playing style used by the rojablanca, which has a tendency to minimalise the impact of attackers.
It has led to the possibility of the Spanish outfit cashing in on their 23-year-old talent after a good World Cup with Portugal raised his stock once more. However, a January move on a permanent basis seems impossible, with few willing to invest anything like the required funds on the forward.
A loan move is much more likely, therefore. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have made their keenness to a deal well known, while Chelsea also continue to monitor the situation in their own hunt for a forward in the wake of Armando Broja’s season-ending injury.
As per the Athletic, however, no club is currently willing to match Atletico’s high demands for the star. The Rojablanco are believed to be asking for a total package of 21m euros (£18.6m) for the player to depart, which includes a £13m loan fee for the final five months of the season.
It is a steep price, and the report adds that it is almost certain to come down the further through January that the parties get without a resolution. With both Arsenal and Manchester United also in need of a forward this winter, it could be a case of who blinks first, even at eyewatering cost.
