The Benfica wonderkid, Joao Felix who has been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City has been a subject of intense transfer speculations, with the most recent claiming that he just might snub the English clubs and join Atletico Madrid.
Joao Felix of Benfica celebrates his second goal during the Portuguese League football match between SL Benfica and CS Maritimo at Luz Stadium in Lisbon on April 22, 2019. (Photo by Carlos Palma/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Benfica forward is wanted by numerous top European clubs after his breakthrough season with his home team. The 19-year old managed to score 19 goals to which he added 8 assists this season, which understandably caught the attention of plenty of suitors who would like to see him representing their club in the years to come. With incredible potential, young age and countless other characteristics which make Joao Felix as close as you can get to a perfect player, his release clause is also set incredibly high. As it was reported, Benfica is ready to let go of Joao Felix for £105million and not a penny less, which, as it seems is the price Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus are prepared to pay.
Joining Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus in the race to sign the young Portuguese forward are Atletico Madrid, who, as reported are the first in line to sign the young prodigy. Planning on rebuilding the squad, Diego Simeone set his eyes on Joao Felix as a perfect player to replace Antoine Griezman, who is to leave the club in the upcoming weeks. But the desire of Diego Simeone to bring the player to Wanda Metropolitano and desire of Joao Felix to accept the offer are two completely different things. Knowing well the first order of business is to persuade the player to strengthen his squad, Simeone made a move and persuaded Joao Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes, who as reported by Spanish newspaper AS is now doing his best to convince the young Portuguese star to wear Atletico Madrid’s shirt next season.
It was said that Felix was not too keen on moving to Atletico Madrid, mostly due to all the departures the club is experiencing, which, to be fair does make it seem like the club is in complete chaos. However, after talking to Mendes, Felix got to hear the vision for Atletico Madrid in the future, their stature in Europe and ultimately his potential future in the club, which as reported was enough to persuade Felix to bring him closer to signing the contract. Being the no.1 target for Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone, we can be sure they will do their best to bring Felix into the team, that is currently in a full rebuilding mode after Griezman, Juanfran, Diego Godin and Lucas Hernandez all getting ready to leave the club this summer.
But knowing transfer windows are unpredictable, the reported news could easily prove to be different from reality, which would ultimately mean Felix could end up in Italy or England. One thing that could work in favour of our scepticism is the fact that Atletico Madrid cannot compete with Manchester City in the financial department. Still, there is a growing belief that Felix will prioritize playing in Atletico Madrid over Manchester City due to more play time and a chance to work under Diego Simeone.
