Manchester United and Liverpool battle out for Joao Felix

Manchester United and Liverpool battle out for wonderkid Joao Felix. 

Liverpool have kicked off their Premier League campaign in supreme style by gaining 60 points out of possible 69. On the other hand, Manchester United have been phenomenal since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken over Jose Mourinho from Mid-December.

There is no doubt that both the sides will be looking to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window. According to the Portuguese publication Record, Manchester United are the latest team to enter the race to sign the Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix.

Earlier last week reports from the Portuguese publication Correio da Manha reported that Benfica have turned down a 61 million pound bid for the attacking midfielder from the English heavyweights Liverpool.

Another two sides who are compiling dossiers on the Portuguese International are Barcelona and Manchester City. There is no doubt that it will be an uphill battle for the clubs as Benfica are adamant that they will let Felix go only when someone triggers 120 million euros release clause which is inserted in his contract.

The 19-year-old’s preferred position is the secondary striker, but he has the capability to play through either of the wings. As the Red Devils have plenty of midfielders who are capable of operating behind the striker, it will be interesting to see if they would gamble with Felix is or bring in an outright right winger in the summer transfer window.

Even though Manchester United are not in a position to make any signings in January, Solskjaer is blown away by the transfer strategy at Old Trafford.

“The club’s probably had a plan. You don’t just plan the next day and next month, I’m sure they’ve got plans, but this transfer window has probably been planned since the summer and the year before.

“The structure is phenomenal, so I’m sure they’ve got their targets, I’m here to voice my opinion on that and I’m sure we’ll sit down, me and Ed [Woodward], if they’ve got anything in the pipeline. I’m here to work with the ones I’ve got, they’ve all performed and as long as they perform they should get a chance but that’s my job to improve players and individuals.”

On the other hand, Liverpool were not able to sign Nabil Fekir from Lyon. There were also many reports quoting that the Reds are still in want of adding a number 10 to the squad in the summer transfer window. Given Felix’s versatile nature, it would come on as no surprise if Jurgen Klopp lures him to Anfield.

It will be interesting to see who will land the attacking midfielder Joao Felix from Benfica who is said to be the next huge prospect from Portugal.