$16 million loan fee for João Félix may be stumbling block

João Félix is on the verge of a loan move to a Premier League club, but an associated fee may dissuade some clubs. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are all among the teams expressing interest in the Portuguese international.

However, those clubs would have to pay just for the remaining five months of the campaign. The Athletic is reporting that João Félix has an associated loan fee of around $16 million loan fee. Moreover, that does not include a gross salary of roughly $6.5 million. In all, a suitor needs to spend around $22.5 million. Again, this is just for the remainder of the campaign.

Atletico Madrid is ready to lost Félix for this season with the club massively underperforming. Eleven points adrift of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Atletico sits in fourth. Also, the club finished fourth in its UEFA Champions League group. Consequently, it is out of European competition entirely.

The Athletic believes that figure can come down as the January transfer window wanes on. This is especially given for the three aforementioned clubs. Each have needs that differ from the technical ability João Félix brings.

João Félix loan fee may spur some clubs away

That technical ability showed spurts of promise at Atletico Madrid against top opposition. Last season, he put together good showings against Manchester United and Liverpool. He also did well against Manchester City, even if Atletico suffered elimination in the quarterfinals.

Then, Félix started four out of five games for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup. He scored against Ghana in the opener. Later, against Switzerland in the round of 16, he delivered two assists as Portugal won, 6-1.

Part of Félix’s issue is consistency. Few argue the ability and talent of the winger. It is why Atletico dropped its club-record fee, nearly $130 million, to bring him over from Benfica as a teenager. Atletico expected the dominance he showed at Benfica. They are yet to see that in Spain.

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