Chelsea have joined the race for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix, leaving Manchester United at risk of missing out on another transfer target.
United are understood to have turned their attentions to a number of different targets after Liverpool moved closer to a deal for the Red Devils' summer target Cody Gakpo. The Dutch international is on the verge of a move worth up to £45million, with PSV general manager Marcel Brands confirming the Eredivisie side are due to receive a club-record sum.
The November departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has left United light in attack, though Marcus Rashford impressed in a Carabao Cup win over Burnley as the England forward returned from World Cup duty. A new addition is expected, with Joao Felix among the names linked, but Erik ten Hag's side will face competition for the 23-year-old.
As first reported by The Telegraph, Chelsea are "considering" a January swoop for Joao Felix. The Blues are set to test Atletico Madird's resolve with an initial loan approach.
The Portugal international cost Atleti a club record £113million when he joined from Benfica in 2019. His relationship with Diego Simeone appears to have soured, though, and the Spanish club are said to be bracing themselves for an approach.
Man Utd and Arsenal have both been in the conversation for a forward who started all but one of Portugal's World Cup games. Aston Villa were also interested, but a team currently in Europe looks like a more likely destination with Felix not keen on a switch to Villa Park.
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Joao Felix might not be the only new face in west London if Graham Potter gets his way. The Blues were the Premier League's biggest summer spenders under Potter's predecessor Thomas Tuchel, but the current boss has his sights set on a centre-back after losing Wesley Fofana to injury.
Croatia star Josko Gvardiol has been tracked by the Blues after his impressive World Cup displays, but the 2021 Champions League winners may be forced to turn to a cheaper option. Benoit Badiashile is another name linked with a Stamford Bridge switch. The Monaco man would cost north of £30m.
"The reasonable thing is to think that he is leaving, although I would love him to continue,” Atleti chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin said of Felix in early December. "But that is not the player's idea. He is the biggest bet the club has made."
The former Benfica forward played less than 900 first-team minutes for Atleti before the World Cup, with Simeone preferring other options in attack. A January loan is expected to cost less than £10m - plus wages - but a subsequent permanent deal would come at a significantly higher price.
