Atletico Madrid have reportedly lowered their asking price for Joao Felix - putting Erik ten Hag and Manchester United on red alert.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new forward after terminating Cristiano Ronaldo's contract by mutual consent. The 37-year-old was allowed to leave Old Trafford after criticising his employers and manager Ten Hag in a scathing interview with Piers Morgan.
United are believed to be interested in Felix, 23, despite his poor form in Spain. Atletico signed Felix from Benfica in a huge £113million deal three-and-a-half years ago, but he's scored just 33 goals for Diego Simeone's side, who are now reportedly looking to cash in.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Atletico will allow Felix to leave Madrid in an £86m deal. The Portugal international remains one of the most talked about youngsters in Europe and Atletico are in no rush to sell because his contract doesn't expire until June 2026.
If the right offer comes in, though, Atletico are reportedly willing to sell the player. It's claimed United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing Felix. The Red Devils have been keen on him for a while, yet the price has always been too high.
Felix made a name for himself during his the 2018/19 campaign - his only season in Benfica's first team. He scored 20 goals in all competitions to help Benfica win the Primeira Liga title and break into Portugal's senior squad ahead of their Nations League triumph.
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Although Felix's form has dipped under Simeone at Atletico, he continues to be part of Portugal's squad under Fernando Santos. The forward scored in their 3-2 win against Ghana at the World Cup and has earned 26 senior caps since his breakthrough.
Felix's new price tag - which could be paid in instalments and bonuses - is much more affordable for a club of United's stature. The player has reportedly fell out with Atletico boss Simeone and his agent Jorge Mendes is trying to sort out his long-term future.
Mendes also represents Ronaldo and knows United's transfer gurus well as a result. The agent has just negotiated Ronaldo's bitter exit from Old Trafford and is currently trying to find the five-time Ballon d'Or winner a new club, with rumours suggesting a deal is close.
Ronaldo is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr over a massive £173m per year deal. The veteran's only concrete offer during the summer transfer window was from an unnamed Saudi club, and he could finally make his way to the Middle East shortly.
No European or Major League Soccer (MLS) club can afford to pay Ronaldo such a huge amount of cash. For example, he was paid around £26m per year at United - which made him the Premier League's highest-paid player.
Ronaldo is not expected to reveal his future until after Portugal's World Cup campaign ends. The final is at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
