Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva wants his club to beat rivals Manchester United to the signing of Portuguese teenage sensation Joao Felix.
In an interview with Portuguese outlet Sol, as reported by Metro, Manchester City superstar Bernardo Silva has admitted that he would love to see compatriot and Benfica’s teenage wonderkid Joao Felix move to the Etihad next summer. The 19-year-old is a transfer target for City’s local rivals Manchester United.
Felix has established himself as one of the most sought-after young players across Europe on the back of a scintillating breakthrough campaign with Benfica. So far in the 2018-19 term, the versatile attacking midfielder has come up with exceptional returns of 18 goals and 11 assists from 40 matches in all competitions.
Felix’s performances for the Portuguese heavyweights has led to the who’s who of Europe taking notice of the teenager, with Manchester United emerging as one of his strongest suitors. The Red Devils have a huge summer ahead of them and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seeking reinforcements to his attacking contingent, with Felix emerging as a top candidate.
Manchester United are willing to smash their transfer record to get their hands on the Portuguese, who is valued at around £100 million. However, they will have to battle their neighbours Manchester City, who are also interested in making a move for the 19-year-old Felix.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking at the Benfica academy starlet as a possible replacement for star playmaker David Silva, who will turn 34 in January next year and will see his contract expire at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. Felix, with his creative abilities and the penchant to score goals regularly, could be the ideal alternative for the Spaniard.
And Bernardo Silva has now given his take on the potential signing of Felix in the summer claiming that the 19-year-old has what it takes to thrive at Manchester City and would want him to see at the club.
The former Benfica and AS Monaco man told Sol, “I really enjoyed playing against Benfica in the Champions League. It is very good the bet that Benfica has made on youngsters, from Ferro, Joao Felix, Florentino, to Jota, who has played less. I wish I could take the youngsters from Benfica to Manchester. They are all very good.”
Felix signed a new contract with Benfica in November last year extending his stay at the club till the summer of 2023. The 19-year-old is also on the radar of La Liga giants Real Madrid along with both the Manchester clubs. A move away from Portugal in the summer seems a strong possibility for Felix and it will be interesting to see where he ends up come next season.
