Gil Marin: I’d love for Joao Felix to stay at Atletico, but that’s not his plan

There have been reports in recent weeks suggesting that Joao Felix could depart Atletico Madrid in January and the club’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has admitted that this is a real possibility.

Although he’d like the Portuguese to stay, describing him as a world-class talent, Gil Marin has confirmed that the player has his reasons for wanting to leave the Spanish capital.

“Signing him was the biggest bet the club has made in its history,” Gil Marin told TVE.

“I think he is a top world-class player, but because of the relationship with the coach, his playing time, his motivation… it’d be reasonable to analyse an option for him to depart if one arrives.

“It’s reasonable to think that he might leave, although I’d love him to stay. But, that’s not the player’s plan.”

As for the future of Diego Simeone, Gil Marin isn’t sure about that either.

“What will happen in the future? Neither Diego nor us know that,” he added.

Atletico Madrid have had many players away at the World Cup and the director knows that it’ll be difficult to refocus on club football after the tournament in Qatar.

“After this, it could be tough to get the players back to their best, not only physically but also mentally,” he said.

“Football is about mentality and it isn’t easy if you’ve just suffered a failure.”