Atletico Madrid president issues stunning João Felix transfer decision amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest

Despite continued interest from Chelsea and Arsenal, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has suggested that Joao Felix might very well remain at the club this month.

The Portugal international has fallen out of favor with Diego Simeone and is available for loan this month, with a number of Premier League clubs expressing interest.

The terms of any agreement, however, would make it one of the most expensive loans in history, with Atletico reportedly seeking a €15 million (£13.3 million) fee for a six-month stay.

The Spanish side is also demanding that Felix’s wages be paid in full until the end of June, which adds another €6 million (£5.3 million), and agent Jorge Mendes is expecting a fee as well.

Manchester United have dropped their interest in the 23-year-old, though he remains a player they like and a permanent transfer could be considered in the summer, while Arsenal and Chelsea are still looking into a possible deal.

The Gunners are in need of attacking reinforcements following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, while Chelsea have struggled for goals all season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the club’s only senior, out-and-out striker – only scoring once in the Premier League so far this season.

However, Atletico president Cerezo has now stated that any deal for Felix is extremely unlikely, and that the Portuguese attacker will most likely remain in Madrid.

On Sunday, the Atletico Madrid president told the Spanish radio show Carrusel Deportivo, ‘Nothing is impossible in life, but the normal thing is that Joao Felix stays at Atletico Madrid.’

Felix has struggled to live up to his club-record £112 million price tag since joining Atletico Madrid in 2019, scoring 34 goals in 130 appearances across all competitions.

Nonetheless, he is still highly regarded, particularly by Premier League clubs, and there is a perception that Simeone’s more defensive style of play has hampered Felix during his time in Madrid.

But it now appears highly unlikely that any club would be willing to pay the £18.6m fee required to secure a short-term loan for Felix, with no option to buy included in any deal.

For the time being, Arsenal’s main priority is to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, though the Ukrainian club has maintained their valuation of £84 million – the same price United paid for Antony last summer.

So far, the Gunners’ opening bids have fallen far short of that valuation, opening the door to Chelsea – with Shakhtar director Darijo Srna spotted at Stamford Bridge last week – suggesting that whoever misses out on Mudryk may try again later in the window.