'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the rumour?
19-year-old Benfica midfielder João Félix, who has been touted as the 'new Cristiano Ronaldo', appears to have further impressed LaLiga giants Real Madrid. Reports from Spanish publication AS state that the club's interest in signing him has intensified.
In case you didn't know...
Felix looks set to join players like Bernardo Silva, Angel di Maria and David Luiz in becoming Benfica's finest exports as the 19-year-old has been phenomenal for the club's youth team as well as the senior team.
The midfielder, who left Padrones FC to join Benfica in 2015, has scored 8 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
The teenager, who has been nicknamed as 'Hurricane Félix', has been heavily scouted in the last few years, with top European clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all showing heavy interest in him.
The heart of the matter
AS now report that European champions Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Felix, having done so since he helped his side destroy Guti’s under-19s in the UEFA Youth League semi-finals in 2016-17.
The publication also claims that Benfica received an offer worth €60m from an unnamed Premier League club in return for the midfielder's services in January.
The club has since hiked the teenager's wages and increased his release clause to a whopping €120m.
The Portuguese youngster's contract with Benfica is due to expire in 2023 but AS claims that the club is already working on a deal to bump his release clause to €200m. Nonetheless, Real Madrid are confident that they can win the race for his signature this summer.
Rumour rating: 7/10
There is no doubt that Los Blancos, who are currently in need of reinforcements up front, are targeting such a promising attacker. But whether the club really goes through with the reported bid remains to be seen.
What's next?
Benfica are currently getting ready for the first leg of the Taca de Portugal semi-final against Sporting, which will take place on Wednesday.
