Benfica release official statement on João Felix
Benfica have released a statement following reports from Spanish press that Atletico Madrid were set to sign João Felix.
According to Marca, Atletico are prepared to pay the full 120 million euro release clause to bring him into the club as a direct replacement for Griezmann, who is on his way to Barcelona for the same price.
With reports circulating that his move to Spain is imminent, Benfica have responded with a communication on their official website.
They state that “in response to the news published in the last few hours, SL Benfica clarifies that it is false that any negotiation process is currently underway regarding the potential sale of João Felix,”
That is not to say that the transfer is not going ahead though, and indeed Atletico Madrid could still potentially be set to sign the Portuguese forward, as Marca have advanced, so long as they pay his release clause, which was always anticipated.
Indeed, Benfica’s statement goes on to say that “the conditions for negotiation are public and known, taking into account that the termination clause is defined and set at the amount of 120 million euros,” reaffirming the idea that Benfica are not in a position to negotiate, and are only prepared to sell him for the value of his release clause.
It should be noted that, while Benfica seek to deny the negotiated sale of Felix, the fact remains that Atletico Madrid can still close the signing of the Portuguese international in the not too distant future, so long as they pay the termination fee to break his contract, which is what Marca have suggested.
Benfica went on to strongly deny the reports that Jorge Mendes was entitled to 30% of the overall transfer fee, which would equate to 36 million euros: “More seriously, which deserves our most vehement repudiation and denial, is the false news that references negotiations involving 30% commission [to Jorge Mendes].”
“We repeat: this information is totally false, absurd and is clearly meant with malicious intentions for the reputation and dignity of Sport Lisboa e Benfica.”
