Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United are all in the fray for Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.
According to a report by ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, the Premier League trio of Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United are all in the race to land Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The Portuguese sensation’s stint at the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium has been a mixed bag so far. Felix has had his moments but has largely struggled to establish himself as a superstar. In fact, he has fallen down the pecking order and spent the latter half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea.
His stint at Stamford Bridge was a reflection of his stint at Atletico with him promising much but never quite meeting the levels expected. Now back in Madrid, the 23-year-old faces a pivotal summer.
Superagent Jorge Mendes has been instructed to find him a new club and there are several Premier League sides keen on his services. The English top flight appears to have left a mark on Felix and he is keen to write another chapter in the league.
He is keen to play in the UEFA Champions League, boosting Manchester United and Newcastle United’s chances of landing him. The former, in particular, need a striker and could opt to put their faith in Felix. However, the youngster is not an out-and-out forward and is unlikely to lead the line alone.
The same can be said of Newcastle who already have the excellent Alexander Isak in their ranks. Felix could form a solid partnership with the Swede as the Magpies prepare to take part in Europe’s top table for the first time in decades.
Aston Villa are emerging as an ambitious side under Unai Emery but their inability to offer UEFA Champions League football could work against them. Should they, however, convince the 23-year-old to take a punt, it could prove to be a masterstroke of a signing for the Midlands side.
Felix’s time at Atletico is coming to a rather unceremonious end and it will come as a surprise if he is still at the club when the summer transfer window shuts. At 23, he still has several years left in him and could yet eke out a successful; career as a footballer elsewhere.