Manchester United’s most likely January recruit is Joao Felix, according to journalist David Ornstein.
Ornstein revealed that United’s pursuit of a striker on a limited budget sees Atletico Madrid’s Felix as the obvious and most likely target.
The 23-year-old looks set to leave Madrid after falling out with Diego Simeone, while the Spanish side’s financial difficulties have been exacerbated after failing to qualify from their Champions League group, meaning he has potentially become an expandable player in the squad.
Felix has played 18 times this season for Atleti but has found chances severely limited, with him starting just nine of those games, though his return of four goals and three assists doesn’t look too sluggish as a result.
However, it’s not the levels that were expected of the Portuguese when he made the £113m switch to the Spanish capital in 2019, but at only 23 years of age, time is on his side to turn it around – and a loan spell could yet transform his fortunes.
And according to Ornstein, who spoke on NBC, he has piqued United’s interest with the Red Devils after a cheap replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said: “I don’t think there’s much money to spend at Manchester United, so I don’t want to disappoint fans, but it’s most likely going to have to be a loan deal.
“United are focused on a central striker for January, and they see Gakpo as primarily a wide forward, and therefore they also are looking at somebody like Joao Felix if they can do that loan deal.
“The only name I’m hearing primarily at the moment is Joao Felix – again, if the numbers come down on a loan basis.”
TIF Thoughts on Ornstein’s comments…
In what has already been a frustrating January window for United fans before even reaching the new year, the interest and possibility of a talent like Felix joining is an exciting prospect.
Despite limited chances under Simeone, the 23-year-old made himself a key man in Portugal’s star-studded World Cup side, with a goal and two assists the bare minimum his performances merited.
Following Ronaldo’s exit, United need a new striker, and after missing out on Cody Gakpo, Felix has become the obvious choice, especially considering Erik ten Hag’s minimal budget as the Glazers look to sell.
A January loan deal could pave the way to a summer purchase if an option to buy is included, with new owners potentially at the helm by then.
In our view, would certainly flourish in United’s fluid attacking lineup with him able to operate anywhere in the final third a quality that Ten Hag would surely cherish.