Man Utd have been urged to beat Chelsea to the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.
The Blues paid an €11million loan fee to sign Felix on loan in the winter transfer window.
We saw the Portuguese at his best and at his worst on his debut at Fulham as he ran the show before receiving a straight red card for a reckless challenge.
Felix’s long-term future in the Spanish capital is uncertain despite the fact he recently penned a new contract.
It is believed the 23-year-old does not see eye to eye with Atletico manager Diego Simeone – who is one person you do not want to get on the wrong side of.
Chelsea have been extremely poor domestically this season and currently sit in the bottom half with nine games remaining.
Felix has shown glimpses of his brilliance at Stamford Bridge but has been unable to solve the Blues’ goalscoring crisis.
Atletico paid over €127m to sign Felix from Benfica in 2019 and are reportedly reluctant to let him leave for a substantially lower fee.
This has put off Chelsea and Man Utd – who are both in the market for a new striker ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils were interested in signing the former Benfica youngster in January before opting to bring in Wout Weghorst on a temporary basis.
With the summer window fast approaching, Erik ten Hag has been told to sign Felix from Atletico.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has waxed lyrical about the Portuguese international – who “would be a good signing” for Man Utd.
Agbonlahor was critical of Man Utd’s current forwards and clearly believes Ten Hag needs to invest heavily in that area.
“I really like what he’s done so far,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“I’ve seen a different side to him at Chelsea. At Atletico, he was playing too deep and wasn’t suited to how they play.
“At Chelsea, you see him getting on the ball, twisting past players – and he’s got a bit of pace as well. I really like him, but he’s got to be more clinical.
“I don’t see any reason why Man United can’t get him. They need options if they’re in the Champions League next season.
“Martial isn’t good enough, nor is Weghorst – scrap them. Antony and Sancho haven’t been great, so you’re talking about Rashford as their only threat.
“They need help, or it could be an embarrassing time in the Champions League for them.
“Felix, for me, would be a good signing for them.”
Man Utd are expected to spend big on a new No. 9 at the end of the season.
The signing of a striker is Ten Hag’s priority, though he is also eager to bring in another central midfielder.
Several strikers are being linked with a move to Old Trafford. Reports in Spain say the Red Devils have ‘asked’ about the availability of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
Elsewhere, Sky Germany correspondent Florian Plettenberg has said Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani ‘wants to leave’ this summer, but will cost at least €100m.
READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Man Utd seek to shift 13 while Liverpool move for Championship star
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