Manchester United face competition from three Premier League sides to sign Joao Felix

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United reportedly face competition from three Premier League sides to sign Joao Felix from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said last week that it “makes sense to consider potential bids to sell him [Joao Felix]”.

With Portugal crashing out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage to Morocco, the 23-year-old will likely return to the Spanish capital with the aim of resolving his future ahead of next month’s January transfer window.

Felix, who refused to comment on questions about his Atletico future in Qatar, was reportedly the subject of an enquiry from the Red Devils during the summer transfer window, reports AS, but Atletico knocked back the approach.

Manchester United face competition from three Premier League sides to sign Joao Felix

The Athletic report that while some Premier League teams believe that the former Benfica wonderkid could even be available on loan next month, albeit with a sizeable fee and salary, others feel that a permanent transfer is the only way that Atletico will allow their number seven to leave the Wanda Metropolitano.

David Ornstein reports that Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is pushing for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa to be an option for Felix.

According to The Sunday Mirror (11/12, p68), Mendes is set to fly to England this week to hold talks with the Villains and Newcastle United about a possible move for Felix.

Felix, who joined Atletico from Benfica for £113m in 2019, scored on his World Cup debut in Qatar and after being in and out of the Atletico team under Diego Simeone, the Portuguese superstar is ready to embark on a new chapter.

Given that Atletico are feeling the financial effects of finishing bottom of their Champions League group alongside Marin’s willingness to listen to offers for their most expensive signing, Felix could be heading for the Premier League in the coming months.

But with Erik ten Hag stating the Red Devils “will do everything in our power” to sign a replacement for Ronaldo next month, it’s Felix’s international teammate Goncalo Ramos and Cody Gakpo that are being heavily linked with a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.

Following Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury, AS have also reported that Arsenal have also entered the race to sign the talented Felix.

Given United splashed out a record amount during the summer transfer window, it may be difficult for the Reds to splash out a lump sum to bring Felix to M16.

But given there have been reports that Atletico would be willing to sell for £86 million (100m Euros) with a deal comprising of add-ons and instalments – Manchester United may still be able to put together a package that suits Atletico .

If it’s a straight fight between United and the other aforementioned Premier League sides, the Reds will fancy their chances of winning the race, especially with Felix’s international teammates Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes plying their trade at Old Trafford.