Manchester United Snubbed Joao Felix Transfer to Barcelona
Manchester United missed out on the opportunity to sign Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix before he completed a loan move to Barcelona. However, United was not the only Premier League side to turn down the chance to sign the 23-year-old Portuguese forward. Felix, who had been linked with several European giants, made a move to Barcelona on transfer deadline day.
Before the move, Felix publicly expressed his desire to play for Barcelona, referring to them as his dream team. However, these comments did not sit well with Atletico boss Diego Simeone or former club winger Paulo Futre. According to Futre, Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, informed him that talks had taken place with Manchester United about signing the forward, but the club was not interested in a deal. It is also reported that Manchester City snubbed the transfer.
Futre revealed in an interview with Cadena Ser’s El Larguero, “When Joao said he dreamed of playing for Barca, I began to live a nightmare that lasts to this day. I called Jorge Mendes and told him about Joao’s statements, and he said no. We argued on the phone, and he told me that he had spoken to Manchester United. I can verify what he told me because I have friends who said it was true. Later, he had spoken with Manchester City, and I also checked, and they didn’t want Joao either.”
Joao Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, making 20 appearances and scoring four goals. Since joining Barcelona, he has managed three goals and two assists from four games. Aston Villa was the only Premier League club that showed serious interest in Felix, having reached an agreement with Atletico at the start of July.
Futre expressed confusion over the lack of interest in Felix from top clubs, saying, “What happened between Joao and 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, but nobody wanted him. Neither Arteta, nor Guardiola, nor Klopp, any club… My question is why? The only team that has wanted him has been Aston Villa. Joao said no when there was an agreement between Atletico and Aston Villa at the beginning of July.”
It remains unclear why Manchester United and other top Premier League clubs turned down the opportunity to sign Joao Felix. Despite his talent and potential, it seems that his comments about Barcelona being his dream team may have affected the interest from these clubs. However, Felix’s move to Barcelona presents a new opportunity for him to showcase his skills and make an impact in La Liga.
As for Manchester United, they will have to explore other options to strengthen their squad. With the transfer window closed, they will need to wait until the next opportunity to make significant signings. Meanwhile, Joao Felix will continue his journey at Barcelona, hoping to fulfill his dream of playing for the Catalan giants and making a name for himself in one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.
In conclusion, Manchester United and other Premier League clubs passed on the chance to sign Joao Felix before he completed a loan move to Barcelona. Despite his desire to play for Barcelona, the lack of interest from top clubs in England remains a mystery. Joao Felix will now have the opportunity to prove himself at Barcelona, while Manchester United will have to explore other options to strengthen their squad.