Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix has reportedly indicated who he “wants to play” for next amid reports linking him with the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Felix is one big-name player who is likely to secure himself a transfer after the World Cup in Qatar.
The Portugal international has barely featured for Atletico Madrid this term as he has reportedly fallen out with Diego Simeone.
The attacker was able to put this behind him at the World Cup as he performed well for the European side.
Portugal exited the competition in the quarter-finals but Felix comes away from the tournament with his reputation boosted.
Aston Villa have been identified as a ‘surprising’ potential destination for Felix with Unai Emery’s presence at the club assumingly helping their cause.
Arsenal have also been linked with Felix. This comes after Gabriel Jesus picked up a serious knee injury that will keep him out for a couple of months.
The Gunners are also targeting Mykhaylo Mudryk and it has been suggested that the Ukrainian is a ‘priority target’ heading into January.
It would be an expensive deal for Mudryk though as it is believed that he could cost over €60m next month.
Felix joining Arsenal is less likely, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Italian reporter has claimed that the attacker “wants to play for PSG”. The Ligue 1 side “can afford” him even though he may cost as much as €140m.
“I don’t think that Joao Felix will go to Arsenal because he wants to play for Paris Saint-Germain,” Di Marzio told soccernews.nl.
“Atletico Madrid doesn’t want him to leave and are asking for €130-140 million.
“Paris Saint-Germain would be the obvious option if he is leaving Atletico Madrid.”
He added: “PSG can afford Joao Felix and they want a star like him as a replacement for Messi, Mbappe or Neymar.
“Not many clubs can afford Joao Felix and PSG really wants to sign these young players for the future.
“So they have cover for Mbappé or Neymar if they are going to leave or when Messi’s contract is expiring.”
The Athletic’s David Ornstein waded in on Felix’s situation earlier this week.
He has revealed that clubs feel Felix “could be available on loan” and this would make a January transfer more doable than if it had to be a permanent deal.
‘Some Premier League sides have been led to believe the Portugal forward could even be available on loan, albeit with a sizeable fee and salary,’ Ornstein reported.
‘Others, though, think a permanent transfer is more realistic for a player who joined Atletico in 2019 from Benfica for €126million and is contracted until 2026.’
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