Joao Felix left out of Atletico Madrid’s squad for Copa del Rey clash as Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea circle wantaway superstar

Joao Felix has been left out of Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey squad amid transfer links to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Atleti take on Real Oviedo in the last 32 of the Spanish cup, but will do so without their record signing, who has been the subject of much speculation.

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The 23-year-old has failed to fit in under Diego Simeone leading to a number of awkward moments. And after starring at the World Cup for Portugal, it was acknowledged that his future may lie elsewhere.

Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitted that the club would ‘look at options’ for the player as soon as January, with Arsenal and United circling.

Felix returned to Madrid after registering a goal and two assists in Qatar, and managed to score on his LaLiga comeback in Atleti’s final game before the transfer window opened.

But now he’s out of the side, which will raise eyebrows in Manchester and London.

talkSPORT understands that Chelsea have also shown an interest in the forward, with Atleti looking for an £8million loan fee until the end of the season.

However, teams have so far been unwilling to accommodate the Spanish side’s wishes, but that may be changing if Simeone’s squad selection is anything to go by.

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Felix joined Atleti from Benfica for a whopping £112m in 2019, making him the fourth most expensive football player of all time.

He’s failed to fit into his manager’s brand of football, but Felix may quickly shine elsewhere, as he has done for Portugal.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested he will look to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the January window, while Arsenal have also signalled their intention to spend after losing striker Gabriel Jesus to a long-term injury.