Atletico Madrid Confirm Joao Felix Signing

Atletico Madrid have announced the club record €126 million (£113m/$142m) signing of Benfica attacker Joao Felix.

Manchester City had been interested in exploring a deal for the player depending on the future of Leroy Sane, while the likes of Juventus, Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid had all also been linked.

But it’s Atleti that have secured his signature, with the Liga club’s CEO Gil Marin meeting Benfica chairman Luis Filipe Vieira during the Champions League final to kick off negotiations.

Marin then met Joao Felix in person and Atleti, with the help of Jorge Mendes, went on to convince the 19-year-old and his agent Pedro Cordeiro to travel to Madrid by way of an introduction to the club and their facilities.

Diego Simeone also played a key role in convincing Joao Felix to join Atleti having contacted the player directly, with the most expensive transfer in the club’s history having now been formally announced.