Atletico Madrid rejected £136m Joao Felix transfer bid from Premier League club amid Man Utd interest

ATLETICO MADRID rejected a £136million bid for Joao Felix from a Premier League club before lockdown, according to reports.

Manchester United were continually linked with the Portuguese star before he made the switch to Spain from Benfica last summer.

But despite the 20-year-old picking LaLiga over England, a third party on behalf of the unnamed Prem side still approached Atletico about a move, according to Goal.

The reportedly serious bid would have seen the youngster move at the end of this season but the Spanish outfit immediately rejected the approach.

Atletico paid £126m for his signature last summer using money made from Antoine Griezmann’s departure for Barcelona.

But he is yet to pay back Atletico’s huge investment with just eight goals and three assists from 29 league games this campaign.

However, he came back from lockdown with a bang – scoring twice in Atletico’s 5-0 away thrashing of Osasuna.

Felix is regarded as one of the hottest young talents in Europe and was wanted by United, Manchester City, Juventus and Real Madrid before his switch to the Wanda Metropolitano.

But some have questioned whether Atletico’s style of play is best suited to Felix’s slight frame.

Fellow Portuguese Carlos Carvalhal reckons a move to Atletico’s bitter rivals Real may have been a better fit.

The manager of Portuguese top flight side Rio Ave said: “Joao Felix is​​ a great player and I don’t want to create controversy with my statements.

“He is a player with incredible technical ability, but I’m not sure Atletico’s way of playing is the best for him.

“That was my doubt when he signed for them. Diego Simeone is a great coach, his teams are very strong, very competitive, but Felix does not seem to be the perfect player to be there.

“In a different situation, we would see a great Felix. It will be a little difficult and it will take more time. He will have to transform as a player.

“If he had gone to a team like Real Madrid, he would be at a higher level. The context would be more favourable for him.

“It’s not a criticism of Simeone, there is no doubt about what he has achieved. The work speaks for itself, I just believe this marriage is not the best.”