Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin has hinted that "top talent" Joao Felix is keen to leave Wanda Metropolitano in 2023 following a frustrating first half to the campaign.
The 23-year-old has struggled to make his mark for the Red and Whites this term, only managing four goals and three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.
Felix has only started five La Liga matches this season, though, while he was named in the starting XI for just three of the team's six Champions League group-stage fixtures.
The attacker has starred for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once and providing two assists in three appearances at the competition.
Felix was on the scoresheet against Ghana on November 24, but his most complete performance at the tournament came during Tuesday's 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the last 16, as he provided two assists to help Fernando Santos's side reach the quarter-finals.
Marin has said that he wants Felix to remain at Atletico, but he has hinted that the former Benfica youngster is pushing to leave the club next year.
"[Joao Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he's a top talent, a world-class player," he told TVE.
"For reasons it isn't worth getting into - the relationship between him and the boss [Diego Simeone], the minutes played, his motivation right now - it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
"I'd love him to stay personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea."
Felix appeared to take a swipe at Atletico following Portugal's win over Switzerland by claiming that "the conditions are favourable" for him to perform for the national side.
"The way you play here and at the club are different. When the conditions are favourable, things go better," he told reporters.
"The preparation was the same as the other games. We saw what was best and worst and played because of that, not losing our identity. We played a great game, perhaps the best so far.
"We are focused and believe completely in us. I hope it's been shown that we have a great team, we know what we want. We have the support of everyone, and won't be held back."
Manchester United continue to be heavily linked with the attacker, while a recent report claimed that Aston Villa had emerged as surprise contenders for his signature.
Felix has scored 33 goals and registered 18 assists in 129 appearances for Atletico since making the move from Benfica in the summer of 2019. body check tags ::
