Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid “need” Joao Felix’s qualities as he attempted to dampen rumours of a strained relationship with the player albeit conceded: “We can’t agree on everything”.
The striker has not started in La Liga since September’s derby loss to rivals Real Madrid and club CEO Gil Marin suggested that the 23-year-old is looking for an appropriate exit route amid links with a move to Manchester United.
Speaking last month, he said: "For reasons it isn't worth getting into – the relationship between him and the boss [Simeone], the minutes played, his motivation right now – it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
READ MORE: Fernandes could play key role in United’s potential pursuit of Felix
"I'd love him to stay, personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea." United are looking for a striker in January but most likely only via the loan market.
Reports suggest that Atletico would be willing to allow Felix to leave as long as Financial Fair Play costs are covered by the receiving club. Adding fuel to the fire in recent weeks, Simeone declared that "no one is indispensable,” although added that Felix is “very important for us.”
And he doubled down on this stance in a press conference on Wednesday ahead of his club’s La Liga clash with Elche on Thursday, while also admitting that the pair do not always see eye-to-eye. “We have a good working relationship,” he insisted.
“Since I have been at the club I have never left, beyond some differences that exist between people, and we can’t agree on everything, and I have looked for what is best for the club until the last day.
“Everyone is giving their maximum. What matters to me is the team and he [Felix] is important to the team. If he gives us what we saw in the World Cup, he will be very important. He has the condition and the talent and the team need his qualities.”
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