The Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are looking to offload star striker Joao Felix who has attracted the attention of Manchester City. La Liga champions have identified SL Benfica striker Darwin Nunez as a top summer target and looking to fund this move by selling Felix to Manchester City.
The 22-year-old Portuguese forward arrived at Metropolitano Wanda from SL Benfica in 2019 for a club-record fee of £113 million. But his big move to Spanish giants hasn’t gone well for both player and the club. He has scored just 15 times in 68 league games and his struggles continue this season with 3 goals in 18 appearances. Diego Simeone has consistently dropped Felix from his starting eleven with Luis Suarez, Matheus Cunha and Angel Correra preferred in the number nine role this season.
Atletico Madrid are struggling in La Liga this season in 4th position with 33 points from the opening 20 matches. They are 16 points behind leaders Real Madrid and just 5 points ahead of 10th placed Valencia. So the race for finishing in the top-four will be intensive this season and Atletico Madrid can not afford to finish this season without Champions League qualification.
Atletico Madrid To Sell Joao Felix To Sign Darwin Nunez:
The 22-year-old Uruguayan striker has scored 18 goals in 21 matches for Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica this season. His performances have caught the eye of many big clubs, including Atletico Madrid that are reportedly planning a summer bid. But Newcastle United, the richest club in the world, are preparing a £60 million offer this month to survive the Premier League relegation this season.
Portuguese news outlet O Jogo has published that, via Sport Witness, Atletico Madrid are looking to offload Felix as they are aware of the interest from Manchester City. Manager Pep Guardiola is looking for a new striker since the departure of Sergio Aguero the last summer. They have identified three transfer targets for the summer move that includes Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic, and Joao Felix. But now they will turn their total attention on the Portuguese due to his availability. Signing Felix will cost Manchester City around £100 million but they are ready to break the bank in the summer transfer window.
?? ¡BOMBAZO DESDE PORTUGAL!
? Según 'O JOGO', Joao Félix iría al Mánchester City y con el dinero del traspaso el Atleti ficharía a Darwin Núñez, del Benfica.
☀️ Sería para verano. pic.twitter.com/5nEvCFUGAW
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) January 11, 2022
Benfica are also aware of the interest from Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United for Darwin Nunez. The same report also suggests that they are tempted to accept a £60 million offer from the Magpies this month but looking to wait for Atletico Madrid’s offer, which they believe will be much better in the summer after the sale of Felix.