Atletico Madrid ‘open to Joao Felix exit amid Manchester City talk’

Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin has reportedly told Joao Felix‘s agent that the Portugal international will be allowed to leave the club for the right price.

The 22-year-old has scored 20 goals and registered 11 assists in 88 appearances for Atletico since arriving from Benfica in July 2019 but has largely struggled to make his mark for the capital giants.

There has recently been speculation surrounding the Portuguese, with Manchester City said to have made contact with Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a possible deal.

According to AS, the La Liga club’s CEO Marin has informed Mendes that the forward will be allowed to leave Wanda Metropolitano if a suitable offer arrives.

In addition to Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United are believed to be keeping a close eye on the attacker’s situation in Madrid.

Felix has scored once and provided one assist in eight La Liga appearances this season and is pushing to be involved in Sunday’s Madrid derby with Real Madrid.

It’s no secret that Pep Guardiola’s are in the market for a new striker after losing Sergio Aguero in the summer, increasing the likelihood of a high-profile name arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2022.

The Cityzens have been recently linked with big money moves for Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but a move for either player could trigger a world record fee, with City reportedly eyeing other options ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Joao Felix could prove to be an ideal target for Manchester City in January, especially amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Ferran Torres, who has been linked with a move to FC Barcelona.

It will certainly be interesting to see if Manchester City are successful in their bid to land the Portuguese forward, having failed to do so once before his move to Athletico Madrid.