Man City, Man United turned down chance to sign Barcelona new arrival in the summer

Joao Felix has enjoyed a blistering start to his career at Barcelona, after joining the club on transfer deadline day this summer.

The attacker has racked up three goals and two assists in the four matches he has played this season, making him an instant success at the club.

However, Barcelona had a certain degree of luck signing Felix, as major European giants did not take up the opportunity to sign the Atletico Madrid forward in the summer.

City, United rejected Felix this summer

In a media interaction with Cadena SER (h/t SPORT), former Atletico Madrid star Paulo Futre has revealed some insights about Felix’s transfer saga in the summer.

Futre suggests that he had a conversation with Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes, who revealed that the player was rejected by top clubs across Europe.

The list of clubs includes Manchester City and Manchester United, with Futre himself confirming the statements from Mendes.

“He told me that he had spoken with Manchester United. I verified what he told me because I have friends there and it was true,” Futre said.

“He had also spoken with Manchester City, I verified it and they didn’t want Joao Félix either,” he added.

Arteta, Klopp also didn’t want Felix

Futre went on to reveal that even Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp had turned down the opportunity to sign Felix.

“It’s not normal that phenomenal coaches knew that Joao Félix was a genius. That he entered their game system, but nobody wanted him. Not Arteta, not Guardiola, not Klopp, not any club,” he said.

Futre fumed further, adding, “My question is why did no one want Joao? The only team that wanted him was Monchi and Emery’s Aston Villa.”

After months of speculations, Joao Felix ended up joining Barcelona on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid. He hasn’t had to look back since.

The Blaugrana are now devising strategies to sign the 23-year-old permanently at the end of his loan spell, as they will not be in a position to pay the €80 million asking price for him.