MANCHESTER UNITED have refused to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid ahead of a loan deal to Barcelona.
However, United were the only Premier League team to turn down the opportunity to sign the 23-year-old.
Felix moved to Barcelona on the day of the deadline after having been linked with several European giants.
Prior to the decision, he had publicly stated that the Catalan team was his dream team, which impressed Atletico coach Diego Simeone or the club’s former winger Paulo Futre.
According to Futre, Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, informed him that he had held talks with Manchester United to sign the striker, but that they were in favor of reaching an agreement.
Manchester City are said to have refused the transfer.
Futre told El Larguero de los Ángeles Cadena Ser: “When Joao said he dreamed of playing for Barça, I lived a nightmare that still exists today.
“I spoke to Jorge Mendes and told him Joao’s statements and he said no.
“We had an argument on the phone and he told me he had spoken to Manchester United.
“I can know what he told me because I have friends and they told me the truth.
“Then he spoke to Manchester City, I also checked and they didn’t need Joao either. “
The striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, making 20 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
He scored 3 goals and two assists in 4 games for Barça.
The Premier League’s big interest came from Aston Villa, who had a deal with Atletico at the beginning of July.
Bewildered by the lack of interest, Futre added: “What happened between João and Diego Simeone happens every day in football.
“It’s a general thing. What is not general is that phenomenal coaches knew that João was a genius but no one was looking for him.
“Not Arteta, not Guardiola, not Klopp, not Club. . . My why?
“The only team that wanted him was Aston Villa.
“Joao said no when there was an agreement between Atletico and Aston Villa at the beginning of July.
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