Joao Felix Rejects A Return To England After Chelsea Snub
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Spanish LaLiga side, Atletico Madrid are finding it harder than they would have imagined to offload Portuguese forward, Joao Felix after his falling out with coach of the team, Diego Simeone since last season, which means he’s surplus to requirements at the club currently.
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After he left the club in the January transfer window, the Los Rojiblancos seems to play their best football last season, and while that is not necessarily down to his departure, it appears clear he has no natural place in the starting line-up as long as Simeone remains the manager.
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There are different theories as to why Chelsea failed to take up the option to sign him permanently, either because of his huge price tag (€80m) or the fact they failed to make it into Europe, finishing 12th last season, their worst season in the last 30yrs, but Felix is now back with his old club but he’s expected to leave this summer, either on loan or in a permanent move.
As such he is likely to move on this summer. One of the clubs that have shown a keen interest in offering him an exit route is Aston Villa, but according to report from Spain, the player has rejected the idea on account of the fact that he wants to play Champions League football next season.
Alternatively Manchester United have been linked with Felix, although exclusively in England rather than in Spain. Meanwhile Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be interested, and specifically manager Luis Enrique, but their ability or desire to move for him depends on the departure of Kylian Mbappe.
With that looking less likely, it looks as if his preferred option might not be available. Former club Benfica may also offer him an exit route, if other options do not transpire.
The Portuguese club who will be playing in the UCL this coming season, but will have a hard time footing his entire salary unless the player takes a huge pay cut in favour of a return back to his former club to help him get back in shape or Atletico decide to pay a part of his salary during his loan spell.
Meanwhile…
Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez looks as if he will be on his way back out of the club after returning from his loan spell at Valencia. The 21-year-old missed a large part of last season through injury, but he also showed some moments of brilliance when fit enough to play.
The Catalans are prepared to cash in on him as the coach is not expected to count on him for the coming season. Speaking to Radio Renasenca, his father and former Spanish international Fran confirmed that he was not short of offers.
“Nico has offers from England, Portugal and Spain. He is already of legal age and he and his agent, Jorge Mendes, will decide. What is clear is that he must have minutes to play, although nothing has been decided yet.”
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The Blaugrana already have Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi and Franck Kessie and Nico is expected to compete with them for a spot in a 3-man midfield formation usually deployed by Xavi Hernandez.
“He has three more years of contract with Barca and the preseason has already begun. Barca will have to tell him what must be done and they will talk. At the moment he is training while waiting a bit for his future to be defined.”
Fran was specifically asked about the reported interest in Porto, which he confirmed without saying that a deal was close. “It is clear that Porto is a great club and it is appreciated that they are interested in Nico, but there is nothing yet about his future. It will be discussed in the next few days.” He further added.
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