Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Indonesia
Nigeria

Man Utd face Felix transfer blow as 'talks underway' with Premier League rivals

mirror.co.uk, 7 December 2022, 11:40
Joao Felix is set to leave Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window and is linked with Manchester United, but Aston Villa have opened negotiations to sign him

Aston Villa have reportedly opened negotiations with Atletico Madrid to sign wantaway forward Joao Felix in January.

Felix, 23, has started just five of Atleti's 14 La Liga matches this campaign and has fallen out of favour entirely under boss Diego Simeone despite finding the net four times in his limited game time. Manchester United have been linked with a move for the former Benfica ace but a host of clubs are monitoring his situation.

The Portugal international has instructed his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club in January and Atletico Madrid's CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, has admitted that the club's record signing could now be sold next month.

Felix joined the Spanish giants from Benfica in the summer of 2019 for a club-record £108million after enjoying a breakthrough season in Lisbon, bagging 20 goals and established himself as one of the hottest properties in European football.

However, he has failed to replicate that form in the Spanish capital and he has never become a regular starter for Simeone's side throughout his three-and-a-half years at the club. He has never scored more than 10 goals in any individual campaign.

This season has seen relations between the forward and boss Simeone deteriorate as Atletico continue to struggle for form. Felix has often cut a frustrated figure while watching on from the substitutes' bench.

Have Your Say! Should Man Utd look to sign Joao Felix in January? Tell us what you think here.

Gil Marin has told Spanish TV station TVE: "Signing him was the biggest bet the club has made in its history. I think he is a top, world-class player, but because of the relationship with the coach, his playing time, his motivation... it'd be reasonable to analyse an option for him to depart if one arrives.

"It's reasonable to think that he might leave, although I'd love him to stay. But, that's not the player's plan."

Gil Marin was also pressed on the future of Simeone, but remained coy in his response: "What will happen in the future? Neither Diego nor us know that."

United are hopeful of bolstering their attacking ranks in January following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, which has left Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as the only established forwards in Erik ten Hag's squad. However, despite their interest in Felix, it is Aston Villa who have opened negotiations, as reported by Marca.

Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are the other clubs who have been linked to Felix, who has impressed for Portugal at this year's World Cup.

Read more

Qatar World Cup 2022

Portugal smash six in Ronaldo's absence

Spain eliminated with more shootout woe

Portugal's new hero steps up

Morocco fans celebrate famous victory

Top News

26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With just four games of the season remaining, a key battle in the fight at the top end of the Ligue 1 table will take place at Roazhon Park on Sunday, as Rennes welcome Brest. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mainz 05 taking on FC Koln on Sunday is an undoubted Bundesliga relegation six-pointer at Mewa Arena. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bidding to put a dent in their rivals' Premier League title dreams while strengthening their chances of Champions League qualification, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsenal to their base of operations for Sunday's blockbuster North London derby. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following a dramatic exit from the Coppa Italia, Fiorentina return to Serie A duty on Sunday, as they welcome struggling Sassuolo to Stadio Franchi. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The English capital is the venue for this weekend's Premier League main event, as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal cross paths for the second North London derby of the season. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United Women will look to secure their Women's Super League survival when they travel to Villa Park for Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa Women. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United manager David Moyes has provided an injury update on Jarrod Bowen, Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at London Stadium. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Closing in on a place in next season's Champions League, Serie A's surprise package Bologna host relegation-threatened Udinese on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 35 opponents: Tottenham (A) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) Mikel Arteta quotes: "Availability we mentioned before that it was something key. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his side need to improve their work "out of possession" in order to become a successful outfit. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he has "a lot of sympathy" for Marcus Rashford amid the forward's struggles for form during the 2023-24 campaign. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola is hoping that the excitement of Manchester City's Premier League title challenge will help his squad deal with fatigue in the final few weeks of the campaign. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are prepared to welcome Jurrien Timber back to the first-team fold in time for Sunday's North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will attempt to claim a fourth consecutive Women's Super League victory when they travel to Walton Hall Park for Sunday's meeting with Everton Ladies. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed that both Pedro Porro and Richarlison will be available for Sunday's North London derby against Arsenal. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are set to be boosted by the return of Richarlison for their North London derby clash with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has seemingly endorsed Arne Slot's arrival at Anfield as his successor. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to take the next step towards their first Premier League title in two decades, Arsenal will make the short trip across the capital to face fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bottom of Ligue 1 Clermont Foot will be desperate for victory when they face Stade de Reims on Sunday afternoon with the hosts staring down the barrel of relegation. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Cole Palmer should be in a position to feature against Aston Villa on Saturday evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A crucial North London derby headlines gameweek 35 as Arsenal aim to keep their noses in front of Manchester City when they make the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Seville derby will take place at Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday evening, with European-chasing Real Betis welcoming an in-form Sevilla. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both heading for mid-table in the Premier League standings, Bournemouth host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rayo Vallecano will be bidding to ease any lingering relegation fears when they continue their La Liga campaign away to European hopefuls Villarreal on Sunday evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will be looking to extend a 34-year streak when they square off against Aston Villa in the Premier League. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two Premier League teams seeking to return to winning ways do battle at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime as top-six contenders West Ham United play host to title hopefuls Liverpool. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nuevo Mirandilla will play host to a huge La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon, with two clubs battling to stay in Spain's top flight, Cadiz and Mallorca, locking horns. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk John O'Shea has been retained as interim head coach of Republic of Ireland for a further two matches. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is currently Manchester City's only injury doubt for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most important North London derbies in recent memory will take place on Sunday afternoon, with title-challenging Arsenal heading to top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.