Manchester City appear to have made the first move for Portuguese forward Joao Felix after it was reported they have offered the teenager a contract worth €30m over five years.
Felix had a remarkable breakthrough season in the Primeira Liga, scoring 15 goals in 26 appearances to help fire Benfica to the title ahead of rivals Porto.
He also made an impression in European competition, becoming the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League when he netted three times during the 4-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in April.
He is one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe, and has been linked with the likes of Manchester United , Juventus and Real Madrid .
(Image: FERNANDO VELUDO/EPA-EFE/REX)
It is City, however, who look to be stealing a march on the player, who made his senior international debut for Portugal during their 3-1 Nations League semi-final win over Switzerland.
According to Portuguese outlet Record , City’s huge contract offer has led to Benfica accepting it will be impossible for them to keep their wonderkid at the club, and they are allegedly resigned to losing him this summer.
It remains to be seen if another club will attempt to better City’s offer, and it is also unclear at this stage the transfer fee that will be accepted by Benfica.
(Image: OCTAVIO PASSOS/EPA-EFE/REX)
If Felix does make the move to City he will have a challenge on his hands to break into the first team at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola’s side already possessing a wealth of attacking talent.
Felix did not feature in Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Netherlands in the final of the Nations League, but his country’s win caps off what has been a dream season for the 19-year-old.
He has been compared to Portuguese legends such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo by the national press, and certainly appears to possess the talent to have a hugely successful career.
