Manchester United are reportedly plotting a £100 million bid for SL Benfica prodigy Joao Felix, who is also a target for Premier League rivals Arsenal.
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United are ready to step up their pursuit of Joao Felix, having lined up a £100 million bid to land the 19-year-old in the summer transfer window. The Benfica wonderkid is also the subject of interest from the Red Devils’ Premier League rivals Arsenal.
Joao Felix has risen to prominence ever since he broke into the first-team setup at Benfica earlier this season. Already a highly rated prospect in Portugal, the player’s qualities have been on show for all of Europe and beyond to see in the current campaign.
In 23 appearances across all competitions, Felix has an impressive record of 9 goals and 5 assists, and his exploits have invariably started attracting the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Among them, Manchester United have scouted the teenager most heavily.
The 2-0 loss to PSG this week notwithstanding, the Premier League heavyweights have been quite a force in attack under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But, Juan Mata is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford, with his Manchester United contract set to run out this summer, while former Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez is struggling to come out of his slumber.
So, the backup options beyond the first-choice individuals do not inspire much confidence, which would explain why Joao Felix might be seen as a potential long-term solution. But, Manchester United now face stiff competition from Arsenal in pursuit of the 19-year-old.
The Gunners seem to be in a dire need for natural wingers, which makes the interest in the Benfica prodigy slightly surprising. But, with Aaron Ramsey set for a move to Juventus in the summer transfer window, a place in the first-team setup will be opening up at Arsenal.
Furthermore, Arsenal are also reportedly looking offers to sell Mesut Ozil, who has been struggling to feature regularly. And so, Felix could potentially be a player who could fill the void left by Ramsey and Ozil, if the German playmaker is indeed sold in the summer.
Manchester United though, are ready to launch the offensive in pursuit of the player, with a staggering £100 million bid being lined up for the summer transfer window. But, Benfica are eager to tie Felix down to a new deal while also inserting a big release clause in order to thwart his suitors.
Meanwhile, the report has suggested that the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also keen on the 19-year-old, although Manchester United seem to hold the most serious of interest. It now remains to be seen if the Red Devils indeed table a £100 million bid for Benfica, and if Arsenal and the other suitors follow up with an offer of their own.
