There is currently a stand-off over Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, with high demands being sought for the attacker.
The Times reports Manchester United have been offered the player, but a total deal would cost a staggering £16 million in loan fee and wages, between now and the end of the season.
United are not interested in a short-term deal at this cost, and seemingly nor are any other club, with Felix back at Atletico.
Manager Diego Simeone told A Bola at the end of December that he was open to Felix staying at Atletico Madrid, however, he is now said to be sick of the whole situation and just wants to know whether the player will stay or go.
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Diego Simeone ‘angry’ with Joao Felix
Felix played and scored in Atletico’s 2-0 win over Elche on December 29, after Simeone’s comments, featuring for 66 minutes.
However, he was said to have subsequently picked up an injury and has not featured for the La Liga side since.
Now on Spanish radio show El Larguero de la SER reported by AS, it is claimed Simeone is getting very tired of the situation.
Miguel Martín Talavera told the show: “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.”
The situation does not stack up to be one Manchester United will be desperate to get involved with. Atletico paid £113 million to sign Felix from Benfica in 2019 and he has struggled to justify the fee.
Felix will be an expensive loan even if Atletico were to halve their demands, and the injury situation is a red flag.
United’s search for a striker remains open-ended, and Simeone’s alleged frustration with Felix is hardly a ringing endorsement.