Manchester United have made contact to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on loan in January, according to reports.
The Portuguese maestro still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract in La Liga but has been told that he is free to leave in the winter following a falling out with manager Diego Simeone.
The Red Devils have been credited with a long-term interest in the 23-year-old in the report from 90min, and after Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitted that an exit for Felix seems likely, there’s a chance that the player could be on his way to the Premier League.
THE LATEST: MAN UNITED MAKE CONTACT OVER FELIX
According to 90min, Felix’s representatives have ‘spoken’ to United, Arsenal and Chelsea regarding a potential move in the New Year, with the trio having all ‘expressed an interest’ in getting a deal done.
All three clubs have ‘held talks’ in the past week, and whilst Atletico are ‘prepared to agree’ an initial loan move, they are ‘looking to insert’ a permanent transfer clause for a fee in the region of £100m.
THE VERDICT: NO-BRAINER
Felix has been dubbed a ‘nightmare for defenders’ by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, and splashing the cash on him in January is something United shouldn’t even have to think twice about.
The forward has posted a return of 51 goal contributions in 129 appearances at the Wanda Metropolitano and is a versatile player with the ability to operate in numerous different positions (Transfermarkt).
The Portugal international would certainly be able to contribute to Erik ten Hag’s side in their hunt for a top-four finish, although a decision on whether to buy him permanently could only be made next summer.
Bruno Fernandes hails Erik ten Hag’s two strengths that highlight previous Man Utd flaws
Bruno Fernandes has been impressed with the impact of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United as the Dutch coach looks to put the club’s recent difficulties behind them
Bruno Fernandes has cited the stability and discipline bought in by Erik ten Hag as a crucial change at Manchester United.
The playmaker has been a regular since the Dutchman arrived with the Red Devils looking to mount a top four charge after a poor start to the campaign. Ten Hag was hired in the summer and tasked with restoring success to Old Trafford as the club aimed to take a long-term approach.
Fernandes is already working under his third different manager since moving to Manchester in 2020 having previously seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick take charge. Both men were heavily criticised for different reasons – the former for his lack of experience whilst the latter hadn’t coached in recent years.
Ten Hag though arrived following success with Ajax and has proved to be a hard taskmaster with his methods clearly impressing Fernandes. He told NBC Sports : “You enjoy it when you win games, if you are winning, everyone will be more happy. The strikers want to get their goals, their assists, those kind of things are always important for everyone.
“I think the main thing for us, because we’ve been in difficult moments with the changing of coaches, so we find now a coach that gave us stability, that was really important and something that was missing, and big disciple. That, for me, was something that was massive on our team that we need.
“I think in our team, we were missing a little bit of that and I think now everyone understands that you do whatever you have to do or you’re out.” Solskjaer had previously called out his side’s ill-discipline, but was unable to address it before his sacking last season.
His replacement, Rangnick, was then hired with a view to a consultancy role, but that was scrapped following Ten Hag’s arrival as the club changed their strategy once more.
Erik ten Hag has made a swift impact in Manchester
United have now won nine of their last 13 league games, which leaves them one point off Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand as Ten Hag continues to take the team forward. The Dutchman has been handed a four-year deal in Manchester as he aims to end a trophy drought that dates back to 2017.
Those on the red half of the city have seen their local neighbours and arch rivals Liverpool dominate in recent years but Ten Hag was adamant upon his arrival that no era lasts forever and there would eventually be a changing of the guard.
He said: “I admire them both. They play, in this moment, really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Manchester City. But you will always see that an era can come to an end. I am looking forward to battling with them and I am sure all the other clubs in the Premier League will want to do that.”
Source: footballtransfertavern.com; mirror.co.uk
