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Several Premier League clubs, including Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool, rejected the opportunity to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid this summer, according to former winger Paulo Futre. The Portuguese international eventually was granted his dream move to Barcelona on loan, though a move didn’t look likely until the latter stages of the transfer window.

Felix joined Chelsea on loan in January, scoring four in 20 appearances for the club and showed glimmers of promise. However, he ultimately did not do enough to prove to the Blues that they should pursue him permanently, with a deal being struck with RB Leipzig for Christopher Nkunku instead.

The 23-year-old made it no secret that he felt that he did not have a future at Atletico after his major disagreement with Diego Simeone that saw him isolated from the rest of the squad, making a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano a must.

Felix spoke publicly about how he would like to join Barca, though former Atletico star Futre has revealed that several English sides had the chance to sign the ex-Benfica star but opted not to pursue him despite entertaining conversations with his agent, Jorge Mendes. He told Cadena SER: “When Joao said he dreamed of playing for Barça I began to live a nightmare that lasts to this day. I called him [Mendes] and told him that the statements that Joao had made were his doing and he said no.

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“We argued on the phone and he told me that he had spoken to Manchester United. I verified what he told me because I have friends and it was true. Later he had spoken with Manchester City, I also checked and they didn’t want Joao either.

“What happened between Joãa and Cholo [Diego Simeone] happens every day in football. It’s something normal. What is not normal is that phenomenal coaches knew that Joao was a genius (…) he entered their game system, but nobody wanted him.”

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He continued: “Neither (Mikel) Arteta, nor (Pep) Guardiola, nor (Jurgen) Klopp, any club… My question is why? The only team that has wanted him has been Aston Villa. Joao said no when there was an agreement between Atleti and Aston Villa at the beginning of July.”

Felix has hit the ground running since returning to Spain, scoring three in his opening four matches for Barca and staking his claim as to why the Nou Camp outfit should be looking to raise funds to try and sign him permanently at the end of the season.

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