Man Utd step-up interest in £105m-rated attacker after Liverpool see offer rejected

The January transfer window is coming to a close so managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Joao Felix is linked with Man Utd and Liverpool…

Manchester United have stepped-up their interest in Joao Felix not long after Liverpool reportedly saw a huge offer rejected by Benfica, according to reports.

Felix is a product of the Porto youth system but joined Benfica in 2015 and has developed in to one of the most exciting young talents in Portuguese football having established himself as a key part of Bruno Lage’s side.

The 19-year-old has provided 7 goals and 2 assists in his 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season and he’s expected to be called up by Portugal boss Fernando Santos having already represented his country at U21 level.

The attackers potential has caught the attention of sides here in the Premier League with SportBild [via SportWitness] claiming that Liverpool are showing a serious interest while Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha reported earlier this month that the Reds had submitted a staggering £61m offer.

Unbelievably, the newspaper suggested that Benfica had knocked back the mega bid from Liverpool as they were holding out for an offer closer to Felix’s release clause – which is set at around £105m.

With the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also named as potential suitors, it’s understandable that Benfica feel they can demand big money for the teenager but it’s difficult to see anyone paying close to £105m for a player who’s played so little top level football.

However, it looks like there is another English giant in the mix as the Independent claims that Man Utd are also showing a keen interest in signing Felix and stepped up their pursuit by sending scouts to watch him this week.

And they would have been impressed with what they saw as United representatives were in the stands to watch the youngster put in an outstanding goal-scoring display during Benfica’s 5-1 win over Boavista on Tuesday night.

READ –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

Felix was the stand out player on the pitch but the Independent claims that the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also in the running for his signature so it looks like it’s going to be a fierce transfer battle for the teen star this summer.