Simeone’s ‘anger is increasing’ by the day as Man Utd make offer for Arsenal target
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is becoming increasingly “angry” as the future of Man Utd and Arsenal target Joao Felix remains up in the air.
There have been rumours that the Portugal international will be on the move in the winter market after falling out of favour at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The 23-year-old moved from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a huge €126m fee, the fourth biggest transfer fee in football history.
However, although clearly very talented, Felix has not lived up to expectations in La Liga with the Portuguese forward scoring 34 goals in 130 matches in all competitions since joining.
Felix started just 13 La Liga matches last campaign and has only started six this term as he continues to fall down the pecking order under Simeone.
Because of his lack of game time and rumoured falling out with Simeone, Felix has instructed his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club this month.
Man Utd have offered £3.5m to take Felix on loan until the end of the season, while agreeing to pay his wages during the loan spell, but Relevo claims that Atletico are looking for at least £10.5m to agree a deal.
A report earlier this week described Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey – who used to play with Felix at Atletico – as the Gunners’ ‘secret weapon’ in their efforts to sign the Portugal international.
But now two journalists have revealed on Spanish radio show El Larguero de la SER (via Spanish newspaper AS) that Simeone is growing “angry” at the time it is taking to sort out Felix’s future
On Felix, Miguel Martín Talavera told El Larguero de la SER: “He played on the 29th, his calves went up and he still hasn’t returned to train with the team. He has not even gone to deal with physical problems.”
Julio Pulido added: “Simeone is angry with all this. He already wants the definitive answer, he wants to know now if he is staying or not staying. They told him weeks ago that this was going to be fixed soon. He sees that the days go by and this is not solved.
“And the anger is increasing because of what Talavera was saying. The footballer is not as involved as he should be. Agents always messing around.”
Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol thinks Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard won’t be “too happy” if the Gunners decide to sign Felix until the end of the season.
Nicol told ESPN: “I don’t think Odegaard will be too happy with it if he appeared.
“No, it doesn’t seem the right fit. I like what they’ve got going now. It’s unfortunate [Gabriel] Jesus is injured.
“But the whole thing they’ve got going now seems right – Joao Felix coming in could blow that up a little bit.”
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