Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has given a fresh update on the future of Joao Felix after the 23-year-old scored in the 2-0 win over Elche. After winning their return to La Liga action, the Spanish club won their first game following Christmas with Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Joao Felix giving his side the lead early in the second half.
Ahead of the game, when Simeone was asked about the situation surrounding Felix, the Atleti boss said: "What matters to me is the team and he is important to the team. If he shows us what we saw in the World Cup, he will be very important. He has the conditions and talent and the team needs his qualities.”
He added: "Since I’ve been at the club I’ve never stopped, beyond some differences that exist between people, and we can’t agree on everything, looking to do the best by the club, until the last day whether it’s me or the footballers. [It’s about] Giving everyone’s maximum."
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These comments from Simeone come following plenty of transfer talk linking Felix with a move to the Premier League. After Duncan Castles revealed Atletico were prepared to let Felix join an English Premier League club on loan in January, a deal next month became far more appealing, but another update indicated that loan fee could be quite costly.
CBS' Ben Jacobs reports that there is an £8million fee for the loan covering six months until the end of the season plus wages to pay which would come to an extra £5.3million.
Following Atletico's win over Elche, Simeone was once again asked about Felix but quickly dismissed any talk surrounding his departure insisting his focus is on the team, and thus Felix while he is an Atletico player. As quoted by AS, he said: "I keep commenting the same as days ago. I'm thinking about the players who are here with me and trying to squeeze them. Bring out the best for the club. After what has to happen has to happen."
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