Atletico Madrid News
Manchester United baulk at €15m loan fee for Atletico Madrid star, looking at other options
When one considers Atletico Madrid’s demands for loaning out Joao Felix, it is not difficult to understand why clubs are backing away from the deal.
The Portuguese International is amongst the best young talents in the world despite his relatively subpar spell at Atletico Madrid so far. In the recently concluded FIFA World Cup too, he played a key role for Portugal to help take them to the quarter-final stage.
Yet, a €21 million gross package to sign the player on loan for six months without an option of a permanent purchase is an atrocious asking price.
According to reports from The Telegraph, that very factor has detracted Manchester United’s pursuit of Felix too.
The Red Devils find the €15 million loan fee an unreasonable ask and close to double what they were willing to pay for a winter transfer. The €6 million wages of the player added to that does not help the transaction either.
Thus, Manchester United are now exploring other options, though their interest in Felix has not completely cooled off. The Rojiblancos’ star could still move to Manchester, but it would require a fundamental shift in position from Atletico Madrid.
The 23-year-old has scored four goals and provided three assists in 13 games for Diego Simeone’s side this season, and even scored in their most recent game. In the World Cup too, he found the back of the net once and provided two assists in just four games.
It remains to be seen if the Madrid-based side lower their asking price and prioritise the player’s exit or hold onto him until the right party comes along. Until then, he will continue to be an integral part of the manager’s plans at Civitas Metropolitano.
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.
