According to The Sun, Manchester City have made contact with SL Benfica regarding the potential transfer for Joao Felix. It is believed that City chief executive Ferran Soriano had a meeting with Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira and agent Jorge Mendes yesterday. The report further claims that the terms they had discussed could force the Premier League champions to fork out at least £100 million for the Portuguese whizkid.
What can Joao Felix bring to the table?
Felix has enjoyed a stellar professional debut campaign with SL Benfica this term. The 19-year-old was involved in a whopping 31 goals in all competitions. As a result, he became one of Europe’s hottest prospects while also helping Benfica secure their 37th domestic league title.
As those statistics suggest, Felix is a productive attacker who can not only score goals but also create chances. A secondary forward by trade, the youngster normally likes to play just in behind the main striker. He can even drift past defenders with ease, thanks to his nimble footwork.
But, his biggest strength lies in the mobility he offers in the final third. Indeed, Felix is always on the lookout for a chance to attack the opposition, much like Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele. He also has a box of trickery up his sleeves and can provide a serious threat on the counter.
Aside from that, Felis is advertised as a versatile forward. He can operate in the left-wing as well as in the central attacking role. And this makes it easier for managers to accomodate him into their attacking units.
Should Manchester City make a move for Felix?
Signing Felix will be a masterstroke by Pep Guardiola as he aims to continue his side’s dominance in English football next season. The Catalan is likely to let go of both Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane this summer, and hence, a new face in attack could be necessary.
Jesus has been linked with a move to PSG. As for Sane, Man City are reportedly holding out for a fee of £90 million, which, in turn, could help fund the move for Felix.
As for the player, himself, moving to Manchester City will offer him the opportunity to improve his game further under the tutelage of Guardiola. Although the Premier League giants already have a stacked attacking department, Felix’s tender age means he can be slowly groomed into a potential long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero.
