Manchester City Comment On Joao Felix Transfer Rumours

Rumours suggesting Manchester City could make a move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix this summer are ‘untrue’, as per sources close to the club.

Manchester City could lose forwards Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling this summer after securing the signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Gabriel Jesus has been heavily linked with a possible move to the Emirates Stadium, where the Brazilian would be reunited with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who worked with the 25-year-old as assistant to Pep Guardiola for three years at the Etihad Stadium.

Joao Felix in action for Atletico Madrid (Image: Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy)

Chelsea have shown the strongest interest in Raheem Sterling, with the England international desiring guaranteed first-team football as it looks unlikely at present he will extend his Manchester City contract past 2023.

City retained the Premier League title for the second time under Pep Guardiola last season and have brought in reinforcements in the form of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, who are both set to join Pep Guardiola’s side for pre-season in July.

The prospect of losing Sterling and Jesus in the same window has led to speculation that Manchester City could consider a swoop for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund (Image: Manchester City / mancity.com)

Bruno Andrade claimed on Thursday that Guardiola wants to sign the Portuguese forward but any deal would be dependent on the club offloading both Jesus and Sterling. 

However, in the hours following the report, the club have seemingly acted quickly to play down reports linking Felix with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

BBC Journalist Mike Minay has reported since that rumours surrounding the 22-year-old versatile attacker and Manchester City are ‘untrue’. 

Joao Felix in action at the Wanda Metropolitano (Image: Alamy)

Joao Felix joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica for £113 million in 2019 and was part of Diego Simeone’s side that beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the 2020/21 La Liga title.

The forward started each of Atletico’s Champions League quarter-final ties with Pep Guardiola’s side last season, as Manchester City’s 1-0 win in the opening leg saw them reach the semi-finals.

City are widely believed to be targeting a new left-back and defensive midfielder, with Brighton’s Marc Cucurella and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips mooted in the respective positions.

Joao Felix in action for Atletico Madrid (Image: Aflo Co. Ltd / Alamy)

The Premier League champions have been linked with Joao Felix in the past, and despite Simeone’s side finishing in third place in La Liga last season, the Portuguese hasn’t been linked with a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano. 

Felix registered 34 appearances across all competitions for Atletico Madrid during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring eight times in 23 La Liga outings.