Transfer News: Manchester United submit €120 million bid for Joao Felix

Manchester United have opened the bidding for Benfica’s teenage sensation Joao Felix with a humongous €120 million offer.

Manchester United are always linked with the best players on the planet, and this summer is expected to be a crucial one for the Old Trafford side. CM Jornal is reporting that Manchester United have taken a step forward in their chase for Benfica’s teenage sensation Joao Felix with a massive offer worth €120 million.

The race for Felix was expected to pick up the heat once the transfer window opens. His performances for Benfica this season in the Portuguese league, as well as the Europa League, helped gather interest in the teenager from many big clubs across England and Europe.

Felix scored 20 goals across all competitions for Benfica this season, including 15 in the league, making 43 appearances in total. While those stats are undeniably incredible, Benfica might find it suitable to sell the teenager if a club meets the €120 million release clause on the attacker’s contract.

The trio of Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Manchester United were thought to be thoroughly in the race for the teenager. United, however, have taken a march over their rivals with a sensational offer for the Portuguese. The offer may not be spending €120 million on the player, but €90 million up front and the rest of the €30 million in performance-related bonuses for Benfica.

United, however, need to generate funds for an ambitious transfer of this sort. Romelu Lukaku might be shown the door if United pursue Felix. Inter Milan are interested in the Belgian forward after appointing former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at the helm. Alexis Sanchez is also expected to leave the club, and his sale might generate the necessary funds to make the Felix deal happen.

United’s closest rivals for Felix are neighbours Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is understood to be looking for a forward minded player this summer. The Spanish manager might want to offload Brazilian Gabriel Jesus or even David Silva and bring Felix in their places. Additionally, Leroy Sane might also leave the Etihad for Bayern Munich, but Felix might be a replacement for Jesus in all probabilities.

City have the required funds to pay Felix’ release clause, but United’s initial offer could spark a bidding war for the teenager. Additionally United are also pursuing Felix’s teammate Ruben Dias, and if they end up offering a combined sum for both, it could turn Benfica’s hand.

In the end, Felix’s destination will depend on the player himself. While United have made their first offer, it remains to be seen if Benfica are accepting of the terms offered. City could do some thinking before making their interest concrete with their own proposal, but for now United are firmly ahead of their city rivals. Will Felix be a good fit for United?