Transfer Talk: United and Chelsea eye Felix as Portugal ace seeks Atleti exit

Portugal star Joao Felix is seeking an exit form Atletico Madrid with Manchester United and Chelsea touted as possible destinations.

The 23-year-old was on the scoresheet with a tidy finish in the Selecao’s 3-2 World Cup win over Ghana on Thursday — but his club future is looking uncertain.

Marca say the forward has told his agent Jorge Mendes to find a him a new club after starting just five of Atleti’s 13 LaLiga games so far this term.

Felix joined from Benfica for £113million in 2019 and has scored 33 goals in 129 appearances for Diego Simeone’s men but their financial predicament means they would be open to a big-money sale.

Bayern Munich are seen as the frontrunners for his signature at this stage, though the Premier League duo and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the hunt.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s confirmed departure means Erik ten Hag is looking to bolster United’s options in attack.

Chelsea are similarly short in that area, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, not seen as a long-term option up front.

An addition of Felix’s calibre in January would undoubtedly boost both squads’ ranks ahead of the second half of the Premier League campaign.

In other news

Sky Germany say Manchester United have held talks over the return of Netherlands forward Memphis Depay from Barcelona.

England midfielder Mason Mount rejected a Chelsea contract worth more than £200,000 a week before the World Cup, according to The Daily Mail.

Napoli are keen on Wolves winger Adama Traore on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer, say Gazzetta dello Sport.