Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone further ignited rumours that Joao Felix is up for sale, admitting that no player is too valuable to let go.
- Simeone admits Felix could leave
- Player unhappy at Atletico
- Club would want big transfer fee
WHAT HAPPENED? It is expected that the Portuguese will leave Madrid, after Atletico chairman Gil Marin admitted that the player could move on. And Simeone has only stoked speculation, suggesting that no one is bigger than the club Wednesday evening.
Felix is coming off an impressive World Cup, where he linked up well with Bruno Fernandes in a more fluid Portuguese system. Arsenal and PSG are reportedly interested in moving for the 23-year-old, but the club reportedly want a hefty sum — a number rumoured to be in excess of €100 million (£87m/$106m)
WHAT THEY SAID: Simeone conceded that Felix may move on this January, but also pledged to try to get the best out of the player in the coming weeks and months: "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...
"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."
AND WHAT'S MORE: Simeone's comments come a week after Marin conceded that Felix wants to move on. "The player's idea right now is not to continue," the chairman said.
Simeone on João Felix: “I hope we can give João some serenity, joy to show what he learned at the World Cup — he’s important”. 🚨🇵🇹 #Atleti
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2022
“I only focus on Atléti to win. Our CEO words on João’s future? Whatever has to happen, will happen. Here no one is untouchable”. pic.twitter.com/qv8r98IJil
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Felix was signed in 2019 for a club record €126m (£111m/$133m), but he's never really found his best form at Atletico. Simeone's rigid system has been criticised for limiting the player's creative instincts, and he's never found a regular spot in the lineup. With three years remaining on his contract, and coming off a strong World Cup, Felix's market value might never be higher.
WHAT NEXT FOR FELIX? The Portuguese midfielder seems likely to leave Madrid — either within the next six weeks or sometime in the not too distant future and a move to the Premier League looms as one viable option.
Premier League 2022/23 TV channels, live streams
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | |
| Hong Kong | — | Now TV |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Astro Go |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Singapore | StarHub | StarHub TV+ |
| UK | Sky Sports, BT Sport | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | fuboTV, Peacock |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).
