Atletico Madrid are said to have rejected a stunning €150m offer from an unnamed Premier League club for forward Joao Felix prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 20-year-old made the switch from Benfica to the Wanda Metropolitano last summer, after Atletico triggered his €126m release clause.
Since making the big money switch, the Portugal international has struggled with injuries, starting just 18 of his side’s 29 league games up to this point. However, most recently against Osasuna, Felix starred, grabbing two goals in a 5-0 win.
Goal now report that prior to the coronavirus pandemic, an unnamed Premier League club made a remarkable €150m (£135m) offer to sign the player – this offer being €24m more than what Atletico paid for his services last summer. An intermediary acting on behalf of the English team is said to have approached Atletico prior to the pandemic regarding a possible move, and the offer was to sign him this summer.
The club are said to have been ‘serious’ about their offer, but Los Rojiblancos ‘immediately’ rejected their bid. The report adds that Manchester City were interested in Felix prior to his move to Atleti last summer – although it isn’t clear whether the offer did come from the Sky Blues.
90min learned in April that Manchester United were considering offering the talented youngster the opportunity for a fresh start. Both Atletico and Felix are weighing up their options, with one being a potential sale. The Portuguese is on United’s radar and would be considered, but the club’s priorities lie elsewhere.
Considering the financial impact of the coronavirus, it is hard to envisage a scenario where any club would come back in with another offer for Felix. This is especially the case considering the fact that a €150m bid was turned down immediately. Felix is ‘highly regarded’ by Atletico and they will be looking to help the youngster fulfil his massive potential in Madrid.
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