ATLETICO MADRID have offered Joao Felix to Manchester City as a makeweight for Julian Alvarez in a loan deal, according to reports.
The striker’s future at the Etihad has been under scrutiny this summer after revealing he is open to leaving the Premier League champions.
Atletico’s offer involves sending Felix on loan with an option to buy, plus cash in the hope of bringing Alvarez to the Spanish capital in return.
City were previously interested in Felix before his loan spell at Chelsea in 2023.
Pep Guardiola‘s side want to keep Alvarez but the 24-year-old is keen on the switch after expressing his frustration at missing out key games.
The club have valued Alvarez at £75m plus a further £10m in performance-based bonuses.
Felix scored four goals in 20 games while at Chelsea and spent last term at Barcelona where he netted ten times in 44 appearances.
The Portugal international has been playing for Atletico in pre-season but his future at the Spanish giants remains uncertain.
Atletico wanted to sign Alvarez earlier this summer but could not finalise a deal while Paris Saint-Germain are still interested in the star.
Last season Alvarez said he wanted to play in City’s more important matches.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
He said: “Last season, I was one of the players with the most minutes at City. But… in the end, you don’t like being left out of important matches; you want to contribute.
“I’ll take my time to think about what I want for myself. We will see after the Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide.”
Guardiola gave a blunt reply to Alvarez’s statement.
He said: “I don’t think about replacing. I knew he said he will think about it.
“Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain] and we will see what happens.
“I know he wants to play important moments, yeah. But the other ones [do] too. 18, 19 players as well want to play the big games.
“I read he wants to think about it. Okay, think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.”
Alvarez then confirmed to TyC Sports, that he is “happy at City” and has four years remaining on his current contract at City.
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Napoli over the sale of Romelu Lukakau while Victor Osimhen could be going the other way on loan.
Conor Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £34million.
West Ham are reportedly close to completing a deal for Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Man City goalkeeper Ederson revealed everything is still open regarding his future amid intense Saudi Arabia links.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.
