Manchester United has taken their interest in Benfica’s teenage sensation, Joao Felix, to a higher level, after sending scouts to watch him play against Santa Clara in Portugal a match that his side won 4-1ti clinch the Primeira Liga title and one in which he put his name on the score sheet.
The United scouts were on hand to cast a watchful eye over Felix, who has recently attracted plenty of interest across Europe especially in England and Spain where Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man City are all said to been keen on the teenager, whilst Juventus have already had a £75m bid rejected.
João Félix really is a special talent 👌
This goal sending Benfica on their way to another Liga NOS title 🏆#LigaNOS pic.twitter.com/bjfbGhMMHi
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) May 19, 2019
Atletico Madrid who has released their French forward, Antoine Griezman to league rivals, Barcelona had their representative in attendance during the match as they try hunting for his replacement.
But the threat of many interested clubs for the signature of the teenager is not in any way going to put off United, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to invest in youth as he plans a summer rebuild of his squad having been given the assurance of full financial support from the club.
The attacking midfielder has made waves in Europe this season, scoring 20 goals and making 11 assists in his debut campaign rising through the ranks at his current club, and could now be on course to make his full international debut, having represented Portugal at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
Solskjaer’s strategy to invest in youth could also see the Red Devils land promising Ajax defender Matthias de Ligt where he has been linked to moving to with the only bump being the failure of the club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Spain giants and this season’s La Liga title winners, Barcelona leads the race for his signature, but there are question marks over whether they will be in a position to afford both de Ligt and the aforementioned Griezmann, who is set to join them this summer.
The Spanish club already has de Ligt’s Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong on the way for £75 million and may have to offload some players if they are to fund a move for the 19-year-old.