Future Ballon d’Or contender opens up about €130m Manchester United transfer window proposal

Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix says he was totally in the dark over Manchester United’s reported €130m transfer window proposal last month.

Erik ten Hag’s men reportedly keen to lure the Portugal schemer to Old Trafford. So much so that United officials travelled to Madrid to sound out a move. While the club were negotiating for Real Madrid’s Casemiro, they also tried for Felix.

Marca claimed that Man Utd told their LaLiga counterparts of an intention to bid for the 22-year-old.

That did not go down well at the Wanda Metropolitano though. Atletico responded with the ‘not for sale’ at any price stance.  The player is crucial to Diego Simeone’s plans and remains under contract until 2026.

Felix, who is an international team-mate of Bruno Fernanes sparked transfer talk in February when he admitted it was “very easy” to play with the United man.

Ahead of the meeting between United and Atletico last season, Felix said: “With Bruno, we exchanged messages when the draw was made. Bruno is a very, very good player. It is very easy to play with him. When he has the ball, he always chooses the best option, to give you a chance to score.

“That is why he gets a lot of assists.”

United though eventually landed Antony in a deal worth £86m with Ajax. And now Felix has broken his silence over the transfer talk.

“I didn’t hear anything, that was something for the president to deal with. I am here,” Felix told Marca.

Joao Felix working towards Ballon d’Or

“Cholo (Simeone) taught me things that I hadn’t learned yet. The coaches are here to teach those things. Things that have been shown to me are going well for me. It’s his role.

” I can still improve, I have many years ahead of me. I have a lot to teach (learn).

Asked whether winning the Ballon d’Or is a realistic target, he replied: “It’s still far away, but also closer. I work for that. I’m trying to do everything for that, in a few years it will be seen if I did it or not.”

No doubt Felix would have been a quality addition to United’s attack. But he is certainly not the out-and-out wide player that Antony is.

Felix, who struggled with injury last season, often plays as a second striker for the LaLiga club. A fractured ankle and other injuries as well as Covid-19 saw Felix’s game time limited last season.

The attacker still made 10 goals and six assists from his 35 games, but he will be hoping for more this time around.

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