Liverpool transfer target, Joao Felix of SL Benfica are attracting serious interest from various clubs in Europe which also includes Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea. Reports suggest that scouts from Old Trafford who were there as Benfica played and came out 5-1 victorious over their opponents Boavista in Liga NOS on Tuesday night as they were splendidly surprised by the attacking talent of the 19-year old attacking midfielder.
He was amazing to say the least in his team’s 5-1 victory as he scored once and assisting twice as shone brightly in front of the scouts from Manchester United and many other clubs in Europe. According to Sport Bild, Chelsea are monitoring the Portuguese starlet along with German Champions Bayern Munich and current Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund. So now it appears as a race to the finish line for many top European clubs as they consider Joao Felix as the next big thing in football.
However Liverpool who were eager to sign the youngster from sometime in advanced will now have to be in red alert and high on their heels after their £61m bid for the Portuguese starlet was rejected by SL Benfica according to reports in Portugal.
It is a breakthrough season for Joao Felix as his performances catch eye of every big club around Europe. Felix is primarily an attacking midfielder who has been used as a withdrawn or rather a second striker by Benfica manager Bruno Lage. Playing him as a striker beside the like of Haris Seferovic has added more teeth for the Eagles going forward. Joao Felix has featured in 11 matches for Benfica in the Liga NOS as the Portuguese midfielder has netted as many as five goals alongside two assists to inspire the Eagles as they look to close down on the league leaders FC Porto, who are five points clear at the top.
Some reports also suggest that the sides in pursuit for him may also have to compete with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid who have seen this 19-year old starlet as a player who can replace Antoinne Greizmann and the Los Rojiblancos are conscious of the fact that the French World Cup winner might leave Wanda Metropolitano in future. Bayern Munich are also in this race as they have a lot of uncertainty with James Rodriguez’s future at the Allianz Arena as the Colombian joined on loan from parent club Real Madrid. However, it is still Bayern Munich’s decision to whether or not to make the move permanent for the former FC Porto man. However, the Bavarians are possibly looking for a replacement of James Rodriguez in the Portuguese starlet.
Liverpool are possibly looking at him as a long term replacement for Philippe Coutinho who left Anfield for FC Barcelona in the winter transfer window last season. Klopp believes that Joao Felix has all that qualities required to succeed in playing just behind the striker as the 19-year old can even play in a second striker role with his primary attacking midfield mindset.
The 19-year old man from Portuguese looks like the next big thing as his breakthrough season is going on he has already grabbed the headline and caught numerous top club’s eye and will more maturity and overall development Joao Felix can be a huge prospect. Now it remains to be seen which club strikes the deal and where he ends up finally.
