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Man Utd register Joao Felix interest after claims of Liverpool bid for Benfica ace
MANCHESTER UNITED had scouts watching Benfica’s Joao Felix on Tuesday night according to reports.
Joao Felix scores incredible goal for Benfica in Lisbon derby
The Independent say that United are one of several major European clubs watching the 19-year-old.
Felix had one goal and one assist as Benfica beat Boavista 5-1 in Lisbon.
That takes the play-maker’s tally up to seven goals and two assists in all competitions this season, with the teenager having taken up the role as striker in recent weeks for the Primeira Liga title hopefuls.
Earlier this month reports from Portugal indicated that Liverpool had made a £61million bid for Felix that had been rejected.
But the Independent suggest several clubs are lining up to front the queue for the rising star.
Felix is believed to have attracted the attention of Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
But Atletico Madrid are also said to be keen while Chelsea have too been linked.
The versatile forward only made his debut back in August but has been a revelation at the Estadio da Luz since then.
Felix signed a new five-year contract back in November, however.
And it has been suggested that the Portuguese heavyweights included a mammoth €120million (£105m) release clause in that deal to ward off any interested clubs.
The Independent claim that Bayern have lined up Felix as a potential alternative to Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Bavarian outfit have had bids up to £35million rejected for Hudson-Odoi by Chelsea this month and the Blues have even rejected a transfer request from the teenage winger.
West Ham were also linked with a move for Felix last summer before he made a first-team breakthrough at Benfica.
But the Eagles moved to shut down those rumours, even releasing a statement slamming the links to the Premier League side on their official website.
They said: ”Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD informs that the news that reporting a possible negotiation and transfer of player João Félix to West Ham is false and without any basis.
“Joao Felix is part of a group of players who were recently promoted to the A team and is a firm bet for this and for the next seasons.”
Neither United or Liverpool, meanwhile, are expected to do any business before tonight’s January transfer window deadline (11pm).