Since only one new hire, Mason Mount from Chelsea, has been made during the summer, Manchester United’s business hasn’t quite gone as planned.
Erik ten Hag is aware of a few areas that still require work, especially on the frontline and in the goalkeeping division. However, despite the fact that Andre Onana appears to be on the verge of joining the Old Trafford team, which would provide United a reliable alternative in goal, their attacking choices are appearing limited.
As a result, the Red Devils are rumoured to be interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Joo Félix, according to the Spanish publication ABC (via Sport Witness), as they attempt to compete with fellow Premier League teams Aston Villa and Newcastle United for his services this summer.
Ten Hag may have difficulties in the transfer process because the La Liga team has set a prohibitive price tag of €140 million (£120 million) on the player.
It’s possible that Atletico will need to decrease their demands if they want to offload the Portuguese star before the transfer window closes. The star spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, making 20 appearances while scoring just four goals for the Blues.
Joo Félix could perhaps join Manchester United.
It is definitely a possibility, especially given the nature of the transfer market, and United might try their luck by making a bid to test the Spanish team’s resolve. After all, the Red Devils’ sputtering offence last season only managed to score 58 league goals.
They would not only be getting a front who has excelled in the Champions League before, but also a forward who is comparable to Marcus Rashford if they were to sign the £195k per week star, who can play as either a centre-forward or out on the wing.
It’s not a bad comparison for Felix to have since FBref places the current Atletico star as the third-most comparable player to Rashford. The Englishman had a standout season in 2022–2023, scoring 30 goals and grabbing 11 assists as he showed Ten Hag that he could be relied on as United’s primary source of goals.
Indeed, domestically last season, the pair had comparable numbers for attacking metrics such as shots per 90 (4.07 to 3.38), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.39 to 3.06), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.34 to 0.44), and crosses delivered (27 to 24), indicating that they both pose a serious attacking threat in the final third.
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Felix was described as “special” by his former colleague Alvaro Morata, while U23 scout Antonio Mango complimented the 23-year-old as a “dream” earlier this year. When Felix is at his best, there is little question that he is among the best attacking players on the continent.
Can Ten Hag restore Felix to his former glory, though? Rashford is the United talisman’s counterpart in many respects, so pairing the young man with Rashford might be terrific.
Even though £120 million may be excessive, it would be wise for the Red Devils to try to negotiate a lower price.
