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Diego Simeone addresses Joao Felix future amid ongoing exit talk

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 20 August 2023

Simeone addresses Felix future amid ongoing exit talk

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says that questions regarding the future of Joao Felix should be directed to the player himself.

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has said that questions regarding the future of Joao Felix should be directed to the player himself rather than the club.

The Portugal international continues to be heavily linked with a move away from Wanda Metropolitano following the alleged breakdown of his relationship with Simeone.

Barcelona have been credited with an interest in the attacker, although there is uncertainty when it comes to a potential move to Camp Nou, with a recent report claiming that the Red and Whites were reluctant to let him move to a domestic rival.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are believed to be keeping a close eye on the developments, with the Red Devils still thought to be considering moving for another attacker late in the window.

Felix was an unused substitute in Atletico's La Liga opener against Granada last weekend, but he will not feature in the squad against Real Betis due to a minor injury.

Chelsea's Joao Felix during the warm up before the match on January 12, 2023 © Reuters

Simeone has said that Felix should be asked about his own future, with the Argentine insisting that he has no problems selecting the attacker when he is available.

"Joao Felix? I always say the best question is to ask him. I see that he's not being interviewed and doesn't have the opportunity," Simeone told reporters on Saturday.

"They're always asking us. He's in the squad, and we've been training with him since the pre-season began. He didn't take part in the friendlies due to an injury that kept him out of the first two, and he didn't enter the other two because we understood he needed a week of training.

"Later, he had a good week and was called up for the first match. Now he has some discomfort, so he won't be in Seville. That's what I can comment on, concerning what matters to me, which is the group and our work."

Chelsea's Joao Felix in action with Borussia Dortmund's Salih Ozcan and Julian Brandt on February 15, 2023 © Reuters

Felix scored five times in 20 appearances for Atletico in the first half of last season before being allowed to move to Chelsea on loan for the second half of the campaign.

The 23-year-old managed four goals in 20 appearances for Chelsea, but the Blues turned down the chance to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

Felix arrived at Wanda Metropolitano in a big-money move from Benfica in 2019, and he has represented Atletico on 131 occasions, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists in the process.

Simeone's side are in a strong position when it comes to the Portuguese's future, as he signed a new deal before leaving on loan in January, with his current terms due to run until June 2027.