Football News: Atletico president addresses Joao Felix future amid Manchester United links

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has dismissed reports that Joao Felix could leave the club during the summer transfer season.

The 23-year-old spent the second part of last season on loan at Chelsea, where he appeared on 20 times and scored four goals.

However, Chelsea elected not to sign the Portugal international on a permanent basis, and Felix returned to pre-season training with his parent club earlier this week.

Felix was spotted looking upset after training separate from the main group on his return, and he is also alleged to have had a heated meeting with Atletico sporting director Andrea Berta.

Felix's relationship with Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone is said to have soured, raising speculation that the Portugal international may not be part of the team's roster next season.

Cerezo, on the other hand, has stated that Felix "is a player much loved by everyone" and that the club president expects the attacker to stay at Wanda Metropolitano this summer.

"We are happy to have a player of the quality of Joao Felix. Fortunately for us, he plays for Atletico. He is a player much loved by everyone. To this day and until the contrary is proven, he is an Atletico player for many seasons,"

Cerezo told reporters.

Felix is still being linked with a return to the Premier League, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United both reportedly interested in signing him this summer.

Meanwhile, it has been stated that Manchester United have begun talks with Atletico Madrid about a prospective deal for the Portuguese midfielder during the current transfer window.

Man United are understood to have had a long-standing interest in Felix, having been connected with him when he was at Benfica, but Atletico Madrid won the race to recruit him in the summer of 2019.

The 20-time English champions are also thought to have considered signing Felix on loan in January before deciding against it owing to the financial implications.

Since his arrival from Portugal, the Portuguese has represented Atletico on 131 times in all competitions, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists.

Meanwhile, the forward signed a new contract with the Red and Whites before to his loan move to Chelsea, with his existing contract at Wanda Metropolitano set to expire in June 2027.

Atletico are set to begin their preparations for the 2023-24 season with a friendly against a K-League XI later this month, and it is unclear whether Felix will play in that match.

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