Legendary Atletico Madrid player Paulo Futre alleges that before Joao Felix joined La Liga champions Barcelona on loan, Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City all rejected him.
But the Portugal international’s initial displays in Catalonia show that rumors of his death were much exaggerated.
Joao Felix, who reportedly received rejection letters from Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal over the summer, has so far been nothing short of mesmerizing in Barcelona garb. He has already scored three goals and provided two assists, and he was the catalyst for consecutive 5-0 thrashings of Real Betis and Royal Antwerp.
Joao Felix was rejected by Arsenal and Liverpool, according to the Atletico legend Futre, who claims to have learned this after speaking with super-agent Jorge Mendes about Felix’s situation. Futre also claims that a number of major Premier League clubs passed up the chance to sign one of football’s most naturally gifted players before he traveled from Madrid to Barcelona on deadline day.
That’s in spite of some impressive performances while on loan at Chelsea in the second half of 2022–2023.
“Manchester City had a conversation with (Mendes). I double-checked, and Joao was rejected. No one desired him. Neither Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, or Michael Arteta, according to Futre, who is speaking to Cadena Ser.
“Why hasn’t anyone loved Joao, I wonder?”
When Felix joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in a £113 million move in 2019, he surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo to become the fourth-most expensive player in football history. Felix and Diego Simeone never really felt like a perfect match, and it was no great surprise when they eventually got divorced in a tumultuous manner.
He was at his peak in Barcelona
The graceful, ethereal Felix is now playing for Barcelona under the watchful eye of Xavi, and the Blaugrana’s more free-flowing, possession-heavy style is drawing out considerably more from the player. The Portugal international has already formed a strong connection with Robert Lewandowski in attack.
While Guariola’s quadruple push against Newcastle United on Wednesday was cut off before it even got started, Manchester City could have used Felix’s cunning.