Transfer Rumour: Arsenal and Manchester United to battle for Portuguese sensation Joao Felix

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United are both reportedly monitoring 18-year old Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix.

Arsenal are plotting a €40 million (£35 million) offer in the summer for Benfica’s rising starlet Joao Felix, but will have to face stern competition from fellow English club Manchester United, as per a report from Portuguese outlet O Jogo.

The 18-year old midfielder is yet to feature for Benfica’s senior team but has been making huge waves of late with his performances for the Portuguese U-21 national team. Felix has made four appearances at the U-21 level for the Seleccao, scoring two goals, having worked his way through the U-18 and U-19 ranks.

Felix started out at Escola Pestinhas but his talents were spotted very early by Portuguese giants FC Porto, who signed up him in 2008 as a nine-year old. The midfielder spent six years with Porto, before moving to Padroense where he spent a year and finally ended up joining Benfica in 2015.

The teenage sensation made his debut for Benfica B in the Portuguese second division in 2016, and till date, has featured 29 times scoring seven times and registering five assists in the process.

A creative player with great touch and vision, Felix shines in the No.10 role but can play in a withdrawn role in the centre of the park, while on occasions he has also been used out on the left-flank as well, highlighting his versatility and adaptability.

The 18-year old may not have been able to earn a call-up to the Benfica first team as of yet, but has demonstrated immense talent at a very young age and has shown plenty of promise and potential.

And Arsenal are reportedly very keen on bringing in the teenage prodigy to the club in the summer. The 18-year old reportedly has a release clause of a whopping €60 million (£52 million) in his contract. However, it is understood that Benfica are willing to accept offers in the range of £35 million, which Arsenal are willing to match as per the reports.

Manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be keen on recruiting the 18-year old and nurture him, with the futures of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla at the club shrouded with doubts.

However, the Gunners will have to face stiff competition from arch rivals Manchester United who also have shown interest in Felix. Scouts from United’s neighbours Manchester City, along with French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Italian giants AC Milan have also been spotted watching the 18-year old at various occasions.

The veracity of the report does come into question, considering the huge numbers that are being thrown around for an 18-year old who is yet to play a single senior game. But if the claims do turn out to be authentic, Felix could very well be set to earn a big money move in the summer.