Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are two of the Premier League sides who have been linked with Benfica’s Joao Felix.
The coveted Benfica starlet Joao Felix has been compared to two of the most gifted midfielders of his generation by the Primeira Liga side’s former manager Jorge Jesus, as reported by Record.
The 19-year-old play-maker has burst on to the first-team stage in recent months with nine goals in all competitions, emerging as one of the most coveted young players anywhere on the continent despite a £105 million release clause in his contract.
The Mirror reported last week that Wolverhampton Wanderers are leading the chase to bring Felix to England, thanks in part to their close ties with the Iberian super-agent Jorge Mendes.
West Ham United have also been linked since last summer with AS claiming they made an enquiry earlier in February, making contact with Benfica to ask about his price-tag.
And the outspoken Jesus has not wasted an opportunity to make some rather bold claims about a player he who was coming through the ranks during his time at the Estadio da Luz, comparing Felix to former Portugal midfielder Manuel Rui Costa and 2007 Ballon D’Or winner Kaka, once of AC Milan and Real Madrid.
“I’m surprised by a young man, Joao Felix, who is going to be a reference in Portuguese football,” said the 64-year-old, who won three Primeira Liga titles with Benfica.
“He still has a lot to learn with respect to movements and tactics, but he will get there. He reminds me of Rui Costa and Kaka — he has a mixture of the two and is going to be a player above the average.”
It remains to be seen whether Benfica are willing to sell Felix for less than his release clause, with Wolves and West Ham far from the only teams in England circling.
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