Football News

Why Atlético Madrid’s €126m bid has not triggered Joao Felix’s €120m release clause

By Ollie Thomas

Published: 18:32, 27 June 2019

Benfica officially confirmed on Wednesday that they had received a €126m bid from Atlético Madrid for Joao Felix.

Felix’s release clause is currently set at €120m, but Atlético’s offer for the Portuguese youngster is €126m including add-ons: the up-front money payment does not amount to €120m, therefore the offer has failed to trigger the release clause, meaning Benfica are under no obligation to sell.

Who is Joao Felix? Five things to know…

  • Age: 19 (10/11/1999)
  • Position: Forward
  •  Career path: Benfica B (2016-18) > Benfica (2018-)
  •  Key stat: Only three players outscored Felix (15) in this season’s Primeira Liga.
  •  Did you know? Porto reportedly released Felix as a 15-year-old because he was too small.

Benfica released a statement late on Wednesday night confirming the news.

It read: “Benfica informs, under the terms and for the purpose of article 248-A of the Portuguese Securities Code, that Atlético Madrid submitted a proposal for the acquisition of the sports rights of the player Joao Félix for a total amount of €126m, which is being analysed.

“It is further informed that the proposed value above the termination clause contemplates the financial cost indexed to the payment of benefits provided for in this proposal.

“In case Benfica accepts the proposal presented, the net to receive from Atlético Madrid on the date of the transfer of the sports rights will amount to €120m.”

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Joao Felix has been tipped by many to be the man to replace Antoine Griezmann, who confirmed his departure from Atlético at the start of the window. Felix is much more of a traditional striker than Griezmann, however, and there are doubts as to whether the youngster will suit Diego Simeone’s defensive, organised style of football.

Felix would top the list of international talents Benfica have sold over the past few years in terms of his fees commanded, tripling the previous leader in Ederson, who was sold to Manchester City in 2016 for €40m. Angel di Maria, David Luiz and Axel Witsel are just a few other names who feature on the star-studded list of ex-Benfica players.