Diego Simeone has refused to rule out a Joao Felix departure by insisting nobody in his squad is “indispensable” amid links with a Manchester United transfer.
Following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik ten Hag is searching for a new striker in January. According to Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marin, Felix wishes to leave the club amid a strained relationship with Simeone.
The Portugal international - who scored once and assisted two more goals for his country at the World Cup - has not started for his club in La Liga since September's 2-1 loss to Real Madrid, although bagged three goals in two league substitute appearances just before the mid-season break.
READ MORE: Manchester United have three reasons to avoid Joao Felix transfer
WIth rumours circling around the future of Felix, Simeone told reporters, as per GOAL, that an exit for the attacker was not out of the question, although he hopes the player can continue his rising form for Atletico. "No one is indispensable and things will be as they have to be,” he said.
“It is very important for us. He has had a good World Cup, he participated in goals with the importance that the coach gave him. Hopefully we can have the best Joao who he saw himself in the World Cup.
“Hopefully we also give him that peace of mind and joy to show in the game all that was seen in the World Cup." Speaking last month, Atletico chief Marin told TVE that it might be beneficial for both parties if Felix does leave if the right offer comes along in the new year.
He explained: "[Joao Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he's a top talent, a world-class player.
"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.
"I'd love him to stay, personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea."
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