According to the latest reports from Portuguese media outlet A Bola as cited by Daily Star, Manchester City will have to offload their Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus to engineer a move for Benfica’s star man Joao Felix. Reports suggest that the Benfica forward has his release clause set at €120m, but the Citizens are reluctant to pay that much. City might offer Jesus, but other clubs could lure the Brazilian if he becomes available on the transfer market.
Felix has caught the imagination of the footballing world in the last few months as he scored a brilliant hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarterfinals. That wasn’t enough to send his team in the next round, but the youngster got a lot of accolades for his performance, and he is being seen as a future superstar.
The Portuguese attacker has managed 18 goals and 11 assists in 41 appearances this season, and it is no surprise that some heavyweight clubs are being linked with him. The 19-year-old showcases great footballing intelligence in the final third along with impressive pace and dribbling skills. Felix started as an attacking midfielder, but he can easily don the hat of a secondary striker.
What should City do with Jesus?
The Brazilian forward is still just 22, and he has done well in limited opportunities he has got at the Etihad. With Sergio Aguero’s form, Jesus might continue to remain as a backup striker for the next two season as the Argentine forward still looks sharp enough to handle the challenges of the Premier League.
With 36 goals to his name in the last two seasons, Jesus would feel that he deserves a chance to become the first choice striker. However, Felix is being seen as a once in a generation talent, and he could be better than the Brazilian forward in a few years’ time. Therefore we think that if City can sell him to finance a move for the Portuguese or sell him to Benfica in exchange for cash plus Felix, then it could be a good deal for the Manchester-based outfit.
A drawback of signing Felix
However, one would understand if they don’t go through with this as Jesus hasn’t done much wrong and he would feel hard done by if he is shipped so soon. Moreover, Felix is yet to be tested in a tough division, and his frail physicality might need some development before he can thrive in the English top flight
