Atletico Madrid's CEO has confirmed that their €127.2 million (R2.3 billion) club-record signing is now for sale.
Ronaldo's Next Club 'Confirmed'
In 2019, Los Rojiblancos made Joao Felix the fifth-most-expensive player in football history when they signed the young star from Portuguese giants Benfica.
Since making the move to the Spanish capital, however, the forward has struggled to live up to expectations.
In the 129 games he has played for Atletico, the Viseu native has found the back of the net only 33 times, and during the 2022/23 season so far, Felix has scored just three goals, having largely been utilised as a substitute by manager Diego Simeone, with seven of his 12 LaLiga appearances coming from the bench.
With reports of a fractured relationship said to have developed between the player and the head coach, club chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has now confirmed they are now willing to part ways with the Portugal star should the right offer arrive.
"[Joao Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history," Gil Marin told TVE on Tuesday.
"I personally think he's a top talent, a world-class player.
"For reasons it isn't worth getting into – the relationship between him and the boss [Simeone], the minutes played, his motivation right now – it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
"I'd love him to stay personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea."
Van Gaal Identifies Messi Weakness
Felix is currently in Qatar with Portugal for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he is enjoying an impressive tournament, with one goal and two assists in three appearances for A Selecao so far.
Speaking after their 6-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday night, the forward alluded to having issues with his club manager.
"Yes, I feel better while playing for Portugal," Felix said, as per ESPN.
"The way we play here is totally different [from Atletico Madrid], and the joy is also completely different."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
