Diego Simeone insists he wants Joao Felix to stay at Atletico Madrid despite his reduced game time for the club.
The attacker has not started in La Liga since September’s 2-1 derby loss to Real Madrid, although has scored three goals in his last two league games as a substitute. His selection against Porto in the Champions League at the start of the month was the first time he was named in the line-up in 11 matches.
Numerous reports from Spain claim a rift has developed between Felix and Simeone over game time matters and that the attacker could push for an exit in January. As a result United have again been linked with the 23-year-old, who is set to represent Portugal at the World Cup.
READ MORE: Ten Hag sends message to Van de Beek over United future
It’s not the first time Felix has been touted for an Old Trafford switch with speculation last winter forcing Atletico club president Enrique Cerezo to come out to dismiss the rumours. And it seems Simeone is keen for Felix to stay on at the Metropolitano beyond this January too.
Speaking ahead of his club’s Copa del Rey clash with Almazan, he said as per Marca : “Joao is one of the players who has scored the most goals out of the forwards we have, beyond the fact that he has three now.
“He has the goal and hopefully he can continue to be with us and that he can perform at the level he has shown so many times playing and to show that he has a goal because we need him.”
United will soon be hunting for a new striker but likely not in January with the board eyeing next summer as when their next big recruitment drive will be, in spite of the uncertainty around Cristiano Ronaldo ’s future at Old Trafford and Anthony Martial’s injury problems.
READ NEXT:
