ATLETICO Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hit back at Joao Felix and insisted "nobody is bigger than the club".
It comes after Felix admitted his desire to join Barcelona, causing a commotion with his current employers.
In an interview with AS, Simeone refused to answer questions about the 23-year-old's future.
The Argentine, 53, said: "The main focus is the team. It is normal that in the press the focus is on whether he stays or leaves.
"I already said that there is no one more important than the club, with no exceptions. It’s impossible to be clearer than that."
Mirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominate
Portuguese international Felix joined the 11-time La Liga champs for a record-breaking £103million in 2019.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, making 16 appearances and scoring four goals.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the striker suffered a three-match ban for a tackle on Fulham's Kenny Tete.
Although the striker has not played up to his price tag Simeone did not want to blast his style of play.
He continued: "He has his playing characteristics, he has given his all, he has made an effort to work well with what he has, and what we demanded of him.
DREAM TEAM IS LIVE - JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
"I cannot have any complaints about his effort because he has given what he could give
"He has extraordinary ability, we have talked about it a billion times. You see him and he has a good header, a good shot with the left, with the right, good spin, one on one…
"Is there time [for Felix to succeed at Atletico]? It’s not up to me, ask him and his representative."
In an interview with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano a few weeks back Felix dropped where his dream destination to play would be.
Arsenal have Felix transfer advantage in three-way race amid major Saka boost
He said: “I’d love to play for Barca. Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barca. It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
A deal with the Spanish giants is highly unlikely at the moment however with Barca still struggling financially.
