Manchester United were offered an opportunity to sign Atlético Madrid’s João Félix before he completed a loan move to Barcelona on deadline day.
That’s according to former Atlético winger Paulo Futre, who made this claim during an interview with Cadena Ser’s El Larguero.
Futre revealed that it was the 23-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes, who informed him that he held talks with Manchester United about a move.
The 57-year-old Portuguese has long maintained a good relationship with the super-agent, and was clearly not pleased with Mendes for allowing Felix to publicly talk about his desire to join Barcelona back in July.
Futre says Mendes informed him that he had no role in the comments made by the Portugal international about the Catalan club and that he tried to place him at other sides, including Manchester United.
“When João said he dreamed of playing for Barça I began to live a nightmare that lasts to this day. I called him [Mendes] and told him that the statements that João had made were his doing and he said no,” he said.
“We argued on the phone and he told me that he had spoken to Manchester United. I verified what he told me because I have friends and it was true. Later he had spoken with Manchester City, I also checked and they didn’t want João either.
“What happened between João and Cholo [Diego Simeone] happens every day in football. It’s something normal. What is not normal is that phenomenal coaches knew that João was a genius (…) he entered their game system, but nobody wanted him.”
“Neither Arteta, nor Guardiola, nor Klopp, any club… My question is why? The only team that has wanted him has been Aston Villa. João said no when there was an agreement between Atleti and Aston Villa at the beginning of July.”
The former Atlético star was able to verify that Mendes had held talks with Erik ten Hag’s side over a deal for Felix, but like other top Premier League clubs, Manchester United weren’t in favour of this operation.
Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, where he scored four goals in 20 games. He has managed three goals and two assists from four games for Barca.
