Although Manchester United now appears to be interested in adding a new custodian and a new striker ahead of the upcoming campaign, other transfers may still be in the works for the club.
According to writer Samuel Luckhurst for the Manchester Evening News, manager Erik ten Hag would also like to add another forward to his squad in addition to a new number nine. The Dutchman is looking for a player who can ‘play throughout the front three’.
With players like Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho recently linked to moves away, as well as Anthony Martial, who has just a year left on his contract, it would make sense to reinforce the forward line by bringing in a versatile target.
Atletico Madrid sensation Joao Felix is one player who may prove to be the ideal choice for that ambiguous position at Old Trafford; recent rumours in Spain have stated that United had contacted Felix’s representatives about a potential transfer.
The 31-cap Portugal international is claimed to be’seduced’ by the potential of staying in the Premier League, with clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa currently expressing an interest. The player spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea.
The idea is that Atleti’s £113 million acquisition, who under Diego Simeone had fallen out of favour, may be permitted to negotiate another temporary release, leaving the door open for the Red Devils to sign the 5 foot 11 jewel this summer.
How much is Joao Felix currently worth?
The fleet-footed wizard, who was earning roughly £195k per week during his time in west London, was praised as a “sensational footballer” by transfer insider Felix Johnston during his most recent loan term at Stamford Bridge. He would undoubtedly be a huge coup for Ten Hag and company.
The former Benfica star, who the La Liga team currently values at roughly €140 million (£120 million), may have fallen down the pecking order at his parent club, but he still has a wonderfully exceptional skill and has amassed 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 games for the team.
The highly regarded ace has recently dazzled thanks to his artistic abilities; this ability to open the door and give exceptional service for his colleagues is shown by the fact that he stands in the top 5% among his European peers for progressive passes.
Felix, an ex-Southampton player who flourished under the guidance of the Dutchman at Ajax, may be able to follow in the footsteps of Dusan Tadic and serve as the creative engine of a Ten Hag team according to his talent.
Tadic was the true driving force behind the Eredivisie giants when Ten Hag was in command, amassing an incredible total of 92 goals and 91 assists in 194 games during the United manager’s time in charge. A player capable of playing wherever along the front line or in a playmaking capacity, similar to Felix, Tadic was the genuine heartbeat of the Eredivisie giants.
The playmaker, 34, who just now announced his departure from the Amsterdam club, was a memorable member of the Ajax team that advanced to the Champions League semifinals in 2018–19, having contributed to 11 goals in just 12 games during that competition.
Tadic is undoubtedly a player Ten Hag enjoys, as evidenced by the fact that the 53-year-old has played him most frequently throughout his managing career. As a result, the 53-year-old is looking for a young replacement in Felix.
Their dribbling prowess is one area where the two stand out as being similar. The latter player averages an incredible 3.11 progressive carries per 90 to place in the top 6% of Europe’s top five leagues, while the experienced free agent only averages 2.95 per 90 for that same metric.
It does appear that Felix could prove to be Ten Hag’s next Tadic if a deal with Atleti can be reached this summer. Both players are clearly agile, creative talents who can simply glide up the pitch.
