Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has suggested it is looking increasing likely that Joao Felix will remain at the club this month despite continued interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

The Spanish side are demanding a massive fee to allow Felix to leave on loan (Picture: Getty)

The Portugal international has fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone and is available for loan this month, with a host of Premier League sides registering their interest.

However, the terms of any deal would make it one of the most expensive loans ever, with Atletico reportedly seeking a €15million (£13.3m) fee for a six-month stay.

The Spanish side are also demanding that Felix’s wages be paid in full until the end of June, which adds on another €6m (£5.3m), while agent Jorge Mendes would expect to receive a fee too.

That has seen Manchester United end their interest – though the 23-year-old remains a player they like and a permanent transfer could be looked at in the summer – though Arsenal and Chelsea are still exploring a possible deal now.

The Gunners are in need of attacking reinforcements after losing Gabriel Jesus to injury while Chelsea have struggled for goals all season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the club’s only senior, out-and-out striker – only netting once in the Premier League so far this season.

However, Atletico president Cerezo has now suggested that any deal for Felix is a long way off and the most likely outcome is that the Portuguese attacker remains in Madrid.

Joao Felix impressed at the World Cup for Portugal (Picture: Getty)

Speaking to Spanish radio show Carrusel Deportivo on Sunday, the Atletico supremo said: ‘Nothing is impossible in life, but the normal thing is that Joao Felix stays at Atletico Madrid.’

Felix has struggled to live up to his club-record £112million price tag since joining Atletico in 2019, scoring just 34 goals in 130 appearances in all competitions.

Nevertheless, he remains highly rated – particularly by Premier League clubs – and there is a feeling that Simeone’s more defensive style of play has inhibited Felix during his time in the Spanish capital.

But it would now appear highly unlikely that any club would be prepared to spend the £18.6m fee it would take to secure a short-term loan for Felix, while there would be no option to buy included in any deal.

For now, Arsenal’s main priority is to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk though the Ukrainian side are sticking to their valuation of £84million – the same price United paid for Antony in the summer.

So far the Gunners’ opening offers have fallen well short of that valuation which has opened the door to Chelsea – with Shakhtar director Darijo Srna spotted at Stamford Bridge last week – meaning whoever misses out on Mudryk may try again for Felix later in the window.

source: https://metro.co.uk/