Manchester United have been handed a boost to their hopes of signing long-term target Joao Felix - with Atletico Madrid reportedly deciding to cash-in on the forward.
The Red Devils have long been linked with a move for the former Benfica starlet, but his current employers Atleti have been forthright in their intentions to keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano. Meanwhile, the Spanish side were also aiming to recoup as much of the £113million fee that they spent on his signature.
However, Diego Simeone ’s side have seemingly changed their mind on his future with reports suggesting that Atleti are now happy to sell Felix. As per The Times, the Spanish side will be willing to listen to offers for the Portuguese in January, with the Red Devils sitting at the front of the queue.
It is suggested that the relationship between the striker and manager Simeone has continued to deteriorate, with the Argentine’s defensive approach to the game the main sticking point between the pair. As a result, he has only started five matches in the league this season.
United sit at the front of the queue for a potential deal, with German giants Bayern Munich also interested in a move for his services. Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes met with the Red Devils in the summer window to discuss a potential switch but was very quickly told that Atleti did not want to sell under any circumstances.
Speaking about the forward last month, Simeone said: “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.
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“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.”
Whether that change in stance triggers the Red Devils into making a move remains to be seen. Erik ten Hag could potentially do with a new striker following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo but whether the club would be willing to pay the considerable price-tag to sign Felix is another matter entirely.
The Dutchman spent heavily in his first transfer window at Old Trafford having welcomed the likes of Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and others to the club.
Felix, 23, has three-and-a-half years remaining on the long-term contract that he signed with Atletico Madrid following his club record move from Benfica. Since then, the 23-year-old has made 129 appearances for the club and has scored 33 goals.
He has one La Liga title to his name having helped the club to the 2020/21 Spanish title - the second of the Simeone reign.
