CONFIRMADO: Atlético sign Felipe Monteiro for €20 million

Atlético Madrid announced defender Felipe Monteiro’s move from FC Porto on Tuesday, a transfer which is expected to kick off a very busy summer window for the capital club.

Felipe put pen to paper on a three-year contract and will join officially on July 4, pending the receipt of an International Transfer Certificate. The Brazilian said goodbye to Porto on Monday with a classy Instagram post, thus concluding his three-year stay in Liga NOS.

The 30-year-old made 142 appearances for the Portuguese after his move from Corinthians and won the league title in his second season with the Dragons. He helped his side to the Champions League knockout stages in each of his three seasons, including a quarterfinal appearance this time around.

Felipe’s background is an interesting one — he really seems to be an underdog story. He grew into one of his league’s better defenders upon his arrival and is well-regarded for his passing ability (better than 85 percent completion this season) in addition to his aerial prowess (4.2 aerial duels won per 90 minutes). Furthermore, he represents yet another foray into the Portuguese market for Atlético.

The Rojiblancos may not be done with that country yet, either. Marca reported Tuesday that Atlético badly want Benfica starlet João Félix after the 19-year-old emerged as one of Europe’s most promising attackers in a stunning debut season — with 20 goals in all competitions — for the Lisbon-based side. The club sees him as the perfect Antoine Griezmann replacement both in terms of playing style and superstar potential, but a deal will not be easy as Manchester City are among the other suitors and the player himself has said he is happy to remain at Benfica.

Elsewhere, Paris-Saint Germain forward Edinson Cavani is said to have approved a move to Atlético, but any deal is contingent on Diego Costa’s exit. The 32-year-old has one year remaining on his contract in Paris and has been rumored to want a change of scenery despite his professed happiness in the French capital. He fits the striker profile that Diego Simeone wants — and he’s Uruguayan, which would give José Giménez another compatriot to replace Diego Godín.

Finally, the same Cadena SER report claims that Atleti want Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell to replace Filipe Luís, who has been linked with a transfer to PSG or to Barcelona. The Englishman is only 22 years old and has a contract to 2024 with the Foxes.