Varun Pai
Transfer News: Atletico Madrid president reveals stance on Joao Felix amidst links to Manchester United
Speaking in an interview, via Mundo Deportivo, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed that Joao Felix is non-transferable amidst interest from Manchester United.
The 22-year-old arrived at the Spanish capital in 2019, just around the time when star forward Antoine Griezmann also secured a move to Barcelona. Since then, he has scored 20 goals and provided 11 assists in 89 appearances. He had one of his best seasons last year as he played a crucial role in helping Atletico lift the La Liga title.
However, it was revealed recently that the Spanish club would be willing to let him leave for a reasonable offer, according to Cadena Ser, via AS (h/t The Sun). Man United were one of four teams willing to orchestrate a move for him.
But Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has now ruined those plans by stating that Felix is a non-transferable player.
“He (Felix) is a magnificent player. I think he does not want to go. For us, he is non-transferable. We bet on him as in his day we bet with Agüero.”
Not the worst news
The Portuguese international is a gem of a talent, and his stock is likely to rise in the coming years. Man United could have benefitted by signing him as he would have been a long-term striking option, and we could have partnered him with his national compatriots, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Dalot, and Bruno Fernandes.
He has played with the likes of Bruno and Ronaldo for the Portuguese national team and is one of the starlets that Portugal are relying on for their next generation.
However, this might not be the ideal time to sign him. Although we could lose Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, and Anthony Martial in the coming months, we have enough firepower in the ranks. Jadon Sancho is starting to find his feet while Ronaldo has shown that he is still capable of featuring in every single game.
Fernandes, too, remains a crucial cog in the machine. Marcus Rashford is on the brink of his professional peak as a footballer, while Mason Greenwood is already impressing despite turning 20 just two months ago. Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga are on the fringes of first-team action.
More Manchester United News
- Barcelona president Joan Laporta met Mino Raiola over Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland amidst Manchester United interest
- Transfer News: Manchester United interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic as he rejects latest contract extension offer from Fiorentina
- Manchester United to evaluate their Covid-19 struck squad before considering appealing to cancel the Brighton game
Thus, signing Felix could hamper the development of the youth and restrict the game-time of our current stars. Getting him through the door would still be a success, given his talent and potential. But unless we plan on offloading someone, it would be an unwise decision to continue pursuing this move. Even more so after Atletico revealed their stance on the player. We are now likely to go up against the Portuguese ace when the two clubs meet in the Round of 16 of the Champions League in February.
