Transfer Centre

Jorge Mendes 'looking to accelerate Joao Felix move to Manchester United'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 06 January 2023

Mendes 'looking to accelerate Felix move to Man United'

Joao Felix's agent Jorge Mendes meets with Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Martin in a bid to 'accelerate' a move away the club, according to a report.

Joao Felix's agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly met with Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Martin in a bid to 'accelerate' a move away from Wanda Metropolitano.

The Portugal international is believed to be keen to leave Atletico during the January transfer window due to a strained relationship with the club's head coach Diego Simeone.

Felix is unlikely to depart on a permanent basis this month due to his transfer value, but there has been a host of speculation surrounding a loan exit.

Manchester United continue to be heavily linked with the 23-year-old, and according to Relevo, Mendes has met with Marin in Madrid in the hope of securing an exit for his client.

The report claims that Felix has made it clear that he wants to depart Wanda Metropolitano before the end of the month due to his unhappiness at the club.

Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix pictured on August 15, 2022 © Reuters

Both Man United and Arsenal are said to have officially registered their interest in the forward, who was in action for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup.

Felix has only managed five goals and three assists in 19 appearances for Atletico this season, while he was left out of the squad for the team's Copa del Rey clash with Real Oviedo earlier this week.

Shortly after the World Cup, Atletico boss Simeone said that no player at the club was "indispensable" amid claims that the attacker could depart in January.

"No one is indispensable and things will be as they have to be. 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," he told reporters.

"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."

Joao Felix in action for Atletico Madrid on August 15, 2022 © Reuters

Atletico are believed to be currently pricing Felix out of an exit, with the Red and Whites said to want a package worth just over £18m to let him depart.

The La Liga giants are thought to want a £13m loan fee, in addition to his wages, which would cost the Red Devils £5m to sign him for the rest of the campaign.

Felix moved to Atletico from Benfica in July 2019, and he has represented the capital giants on 130 occasions, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists in the process.

Man United are working to sign a new forward during the January transfer window due to Cristiano Ronaldo's exit at the end of November, which has left the club short of options in the final third of the field.