Atletico Madrid responded to Manchester United €135 million bid for Joao Felix
According to sources in Spain, Atletico Madrid turned down a substantial offer from Manchester United for Joao Felix around €130 million (£110 million).
As Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains unknown, United boss Erik ten Hag is eager to improve his attacking alternatives before the transfer window shuts.
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, United has made Felix, a member of Ronaldo’s Portugal national team, a significant offer.
But the article claims that Atletico Madrid rejected their proposal.
Felix is reportedly considered to be the team’s most crucial player by Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid.
Atletico are hesitant to trade the 22-year-old due to his €350 million (£295 million) release clause.
Felix, one of the most sought-after prospects in European football, moved from Benfica to Atletico Madrid for a club record €126 million (£106 million), making him the fourth-most expensive player in history.
He has scored 29 goals in 112 games for the club, although he has struggled to live up to his high price tag in Spain.
He did, however, play on Simeone’s La Liga champion team in the 2020–21 campaign.
The report claims that United were pleased with Felix’s play in Atletico’s victory over the Red Devils in the preseason.
In Oslo, Norway, Felix scored the game’s lone goal to give Simeone’s team a 1-0 victory.
Felix has previously been mentioned in relation to a transfer to the Premier League.
The forward, who has made 22 appearances for Portugal’s national team and has three goals to his credit, has also been linked to Manchester City and Liverpool in the past.
But given that Felix is supposedly “happy” at Atletico, a transfer to English football seems doubtful.
If United has in fact made a move for Felix this transfer window, it would indicate a notable shift in strategy from the Premier League club.
Ten Hag is looking for a new forward, but United has been connected with players that are far less expensive.
After having their £11.2 million offer for Bologna’s attacker Marko Arnautovic rejected, United ended negotiations to sign him.
The Red Devils were also linked with Stuttgart forward Sasa Kalajdzic and Red Bull Salzburg forward Benjamin Sesko, who has since signed a contract to join RB Leipzig next summer.
