Man Utd response to Joao Felix transfer offer emerges after agent plotted move
Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Joao Felix this summer, just like four of their Premier League rivals.
Felix, 23, spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea and scored four goals, including one against United, but the Blues declined to sign him permanently following their woeful end to the campaign. Still deemed surplus to requirements by Atletico Madrid, who shelled out a club-record £113million to sign him in 2019, the Portugal international joined Barcelona on transfer deadline day earlier this month but could've been a Red Devil.
Represented by agent Jorge Mendes, who reportedly boasts a healthy relationship with the Old Trafford hierarchy, Felix was offered to United alongside Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal after Chelsea passed on him. The former Benfica wonderkid has since enjoyed a superb start to life on loan at Barcelona, scoring three goals and registering two assists in five games.
With Felix's stock on the rise once again, Portuguese legend Paulo Futre lifted the lid on Mendes' failed negotiations over the summer during an interview with Cadena SER. "He told me that he had spoken to Manchester United," Futre claimed. "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 Joao either. What happened between Joao and Cholo (Atletico manager Diego Simeone ) happens every day in football. It's something normal. What is not normal is that phenomenal coaches knew that Joao was a genius... He entered their game system, but nobody wanted him.
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"Neither [Mikel] Arteta, nor [Pep] Guardiola, nor [Jurgen] Klopp, any club. My question is why has no one loved Joao? The only team that has wanted him has been Monchi and [Unai] Emery's Aston Villa. Joao said no when there was an agreement between Atleti and Aston Villa at the beginning of July."
Have your say! Should Manchester United have signed Joao Felix? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Joao Felix has scored three goals and registered two assists in five games for Barcelona (Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)Following their contrasting starts to the season, United manager Erik ten Hag may well be ruing United's decision to snub the rejuvenated Felix. Ten Hag reluctantly had to fork out £72million to sign Rasmus Hojlund in order to ease the Red Devils' woes in attack, and although the Danish hotshot has started brightly, Felix is bang in form.
A goal on his first start to open the floodgates in Barcelona's 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis came before two goals and an assist against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League. Then the 23-year-old was instrumental in helping Barca complete their comeback victory over Celta Vigo last Saturday, assisting Joao Cancelo's 89th-minute winner.
Felix already has as many goals for Barcelona than United forwards Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri have this season combined - and he's impressing his manager. "He has understood it very well and he can be very important for us," Barca boss Xavi hailed. "The talent is showing and I'm happy with the signings."
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