Joao Felix: Atletico Madrid reject €135 million offer from Man Utd

Atletico Madrid have rejected a bid of €135 million from Manchester United for Joao Felix, according to Marca.

Man Utd made the offer on July 31 after a friendly between the two teams. Club president Miguel Angel Gil Marin rejected the proposal.

The club says the Portugal international is not for sale. Felix has a €350m release clause in his contract with the club.

Any club that wants the player may have to trigger that clause.

United’s offer exceeds the €121 million Atletico paid for the player in 2019 after only one season with the Benfica senior set-up.

In his one season in the Primeira Liga, Felix scored 15 goals and created 12 big chances to lead Benfica to the title. That season, he scored three Europa League goals and assisted one.

His transition to Spanish football has not been smooth. Felix has struggled to earn Diego Simeone’s trust. The Argentine coach prefers his hardworking forwards to the silky Felix.

Felix has also suffered several injuries that hindered his progress and consistency. The 22-year-old has only been able to show glimpses of his enormous talent since the big move.

However, the club’s president believes he will come good.

Felix, to his credit, has started the new season on fire. He provided a hat-trick of assists as Atletico opened their La Liga campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Getafe.

Man Utd will have to look elsewhere for their new forward. The club has failed with moves for Antony and Marko Arnautovic. Brief target Benjamin Sesko has agreed to join RB Leipzig.

It is unclear what Erik Ten Hag and United will do next, but they need to act quickly.

United must bring in a forward or two this window, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo pushing to leave.