According to Sport Witness, Newcastle United are among the clubs interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix this summer.
Aston Villa and Manchester United are also allegedly interested in signing the former Chelsea loanee.
What’s going on with Joao Felix and Newcastle United?
Whatever happens this summer, Felix’s time at Atletico Madrid appears to be coming to an end. The Portugal international has not been greeted warmly upon his return from his loan term, and has even been deprived of his number seven shirt, which has been given to Antoine Griezmann.
According to Spanish media, the attacker has asked his agency, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club this summer, with a move to the Premier League seeming particularly appealing.
Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are said to be interested and have made contact with his representatives. Newcastle, in particular, have the financial means to make a bid, especially given that they’ve only made one deal this summer, with Sandro Tonali joining.
Felix, of course, spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, where he fell short of earning a permanent move. Of course, the upheaval at the club as a whole didn’t help, with three different managers at various stages during a forgettable campaign.
Felix had only four Premier League goals and no assists by the time his loan period was over.
Should Joao Felix join Newcastle United?
The question is if Newcastle truly requires Felix this summer. If you consider their attack, you might be inclined to say no.
While the Magpies will need more depth next season after qualifying for the Champions League, Eddie Howe already has Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson to draw on when seeking for a player to lead the line.
Football Talent Scout, full of enthusiasm for the Atletico Madrid player, posted to Twitter during the 2021/22 season with the following statistic and comment: “This season, no La Liga player with more than 1000 minutes has been fouled more than Joo Félix (4.3). A defender’s worst nightmare.”
He is a handful to play against then, but Eddie Howe may have to change his system to accommodate Felix, given his strength as a false nine rather than an out-and-out striker like Wilson, for example.
So why fix something that isn’t broken? Last season, Howe’s strategy worked wonderfully as the Magpies recovered to their former glory. To modify that system, despite Felix’s potential and talent, it would almost certainly have to be for a player with a greater track record than Felix’s over the last three years.
There’s still time for a few twists and turns this summer, and the forward’s future is currently unknown. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle decides to pursue a deal ahead of the upcoming season. For the time being, Howe may be content with his offensive options.
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