Atletico Madrid ‘welcomed’ Joao Felix back to training last week, with the Portuguese very much expected to leave the club for a third season in a row. Los Rojiblancos would rather a permanent exit, but it will depend on the offers.
Benfica have shown interest in Felix, but it seems he has little intention of returning to Portugal as things stand, while Barcelona lie in wait. Felix has been prioritising a return to Catalonia this summer, but Barcelona will only consider a move on loan, without a fee, and at the end of the transfer window if they have space in their salary limit – conditions which Atletico are not enamoured with.
Fermín López: "When the Olympic Games are over I will take some days off, but not too many because I want to start working under Flick and be back with the team." @diarioas
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 2, 2024
Aston Villa are the other side that have been consistently linked with Felix, and HITC say that they are willing to reach Atletico’s €50m asking price for the 24-year-old. He would be required to take a wage cut though. Unai Emery is willing to make him their highest-paid player in their squad, offering a contract worth €9-10m per year, which is still a wage cut of around €5-6m per season – it is not clear whether these figures are gross or net wages.
‼ Atlético Madrid are waiting for Conor Gallagher's decision, expecting the case to be clarified this weekend.
There's still NO green light from the player so far… but contacts continue.
Chelsea, waiting as they agreed with Atléti on €40m deal.
[🎖: @FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/Aq4AP7E2tm
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 1, 2024
Reports in Spain about Felix’s future have been conflicting, with some claiming that Villa’s interest is cooling, and others that they are biding their time on a deal. It seems Emery is keen on the mercurial Portuguese, as Villa head into the Champions League for the first time in decades.
