Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Colin Millar

Man Utd chiefs 'hold talks' over Joao Felix transfer as triple Madrid move made

Manchester United have held meetings with Atletico Madrid over the signing of Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha while also gauging the possibility of landing Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro.

Portuguese sensation Felix completed a stunning £113million move to the Spanish capital from Benfica back in the summer of 2019 but has struggled to live up to his price tag in the three years since.

The 22-year-old saw his most recent campaign with Atletico blighted by injuries – limiting him to just 13 starts in La Liga – and while he has shown moments of brilliance, there has been talk that this summer could see the attacking midfielder move on to pastures new.

While Luis Suarez has left Atletico this summer, Alvaro Morata has returned to the club following a two-year loan spell at Juventus. The Spain international joins Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa, Cunha and Felix as the club's attacking options.

Furthermore, Atleti boss Diego Simeone believes wantaway United star Cristiano Ronaldo would be his dream signing this summer. A potential deal taking Ronaldo to Los Rojiblancos could be linked to the Red Devils' interest in Felix, alongside Cunha. United have made the Brazilian's agents Kia Joorabchian and Giuliano Bertolucci aware of their interest ahead of making a formal approach.

However, United have formalised their interest in Portuguese star Felix – holding meetings with Atleti in both the club's official offices in the Spanish capital alongside a swanky hotel in central Madrid. The two clubs are aware of the other's position; United want to buy but Atleti are reluctant to sell.

Have Your Say! Which players should Man Utd sign before the transfer window closes? Tell us what you think here.

Joao Felix has struggled for sustained game-time under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

The Portuguese international has started just 49 from a possible 115 matches in La Liga since his switch to the Spanish capital three years ago – with injury problems and rotations in attack meaning that he has struggled for a sustained, regular run of games.

As reported by Marca, the meetings with Felix came as United transfer chiefs travelled to Madrid over their interest in Real midfielder Casemiro. A bid of £50m for the Brazil international has been suggested, although this appears to be an ambitious move by the Premier League club.

Casemiro, 30, has been a fixture of Real Madrid's midfield for the best part of a decade, making 336 first-team appearances and forming part of the central trio alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. However, the signings of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, coupled with Fede Valverde's form, means that change is afoot at Los Blancos.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.