Atletico Madrid News
€120 million Atletico Madrid forward wants January exit due to ‘unsustainable’ situation
According to a report from El Partidazo de COPE, Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix wants to leave the club in the January transfer window as he believes that his situation has become ‘unsustainable’.
The 22-year-old forward joined Atletico from SL Benfica in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth a massive €120 million. However, things have not worked out as per plans for the Portuguese international as he has never failed to kick on as expected in Diego Simeone’s side.
During the second half of the last season, he showed some signs of resurgence in form, which prompted him to turn down advances from the likes of Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
However, Joao Felix finds himself warming the benches more often than not this season, leading to building frustrations within the forward.
Indeed, Simeone is currently preferring the likes of Alvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann, Matheus Cunha and Angel Correa ahead of the Portuguese forward.
The 22-year-old has drawn some ire from the Atleti fanbase for his touchline antics as well as his activity on social media. After not being called on to make an appearance from the bench against Club Brugge on Wednesday, he was seen throwing his bib to the ground in anger.
While Simeone did not react to the incident after the game, there is a sense that things might not be okay between the manager and the forward.
There had been some rumours about the Argentine tactician’s own future at Atletico due to their poor start to the season.
But he has the confidence of the management and Felix believes that Cholo will remain at the club next season and sees his own situation as ‘unsustainable’. Hence, he is now keen on leaving the club as early as the January window. Whether such a move materialises remains to be seen.
Joao Felix has played 11 matches so far this season, but is yet to score a goal.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid among clubs weighing up a summer move for €20 million Barcelona defender
Having successfully raided FC Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay during the January transfer window, Atletico Madrid could look to bring in another player from Spotify Camp Nou come summer.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Atletico are among clubs who are interested in signing Barcelona ace Sergino Dest, who is currently away on loan at AC Milan.
Dest has been out of favour at Barça since Xavi Hernandez arrived at the club back in November 2021. The USMNT right-back was sent out on loan to Milan last summer so that he can play regularly.
The Rossoneri have the option of signing the ex-Ajax man permanently for €20 million, but are unlikely to take it up as the right-back has largely underwhelmed during his time in Italy, playing just 14 games in all competitions.
But, that has seemingly not deterred clubs in La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly willing to take a punt on Dest in the summer.
As things stand, Atletico have Nahuel Molina as their primary right-back, but the Argentine has not been consistent enough in his debut season at the club.
Matt Doherty arrived on a free transfer from Tottenham in January but has only played 12 minutes so far, indicating where he stands in Diego Simeone’s scheme. So, a new right-back might not entirely be ruled out at the Civitas Metropolitano come summer.
Dest, though, is also attracting interest from Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, while an unnamed MLS club also want the right-back.
Barcelona, for their part, wish to recoup the €20 million they spent on him almost three years ago, which could become a roadblock for Atletico Madrid if they do indeed pursue the right-back with greater intent.
As things stand, there is just initial interest and there is nothing concrete from Atletico or any clubs. Only time will tell if that changes once Dest returns from his loan spell.
