Since the João Félix saga started, Manchester City and Manchester United have always been named as the most serious competitors in the race. But Atletico Madrid always got a mention as well.
Now it turns out the Colchoneros have become the protagonists in the story, because according to Correio da Manha Sport, they’ve just offered €80m for the starlet.
The amount isn’t enough, especially because João Félix is protected by a €120m release clause. However, Atletico are expected to be back in the next few weeks.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona are all said to be interested, but the Madrid side are the only who have made a serious bid for the 19-year-old.
João Félix is actually mentioned in all sports newspapers in Portugal today, but for a different reasons. Quotes from him and the Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira on Thursday make the club more optimistic about his stay in Lisbon for one more year.
Speaking to BTV, Félix said: “I’m very happy at Benfica. I love the club and the fans. I want to play football and have fun and then things happen naturally.”
Luís Felipe Vieira was more open it, and claims that the player is not leaving unless some pays €120m: “We’re not going to change the squad much and we want to stay with everyone here. Including João Félix. There are things Benfica can’t do. If someone pays the clause, if someone deposits the check with that amount, we can’t do anything.”
