Benfica Chief Says 'No Offer Has Arrived' for Real Madrid Target Joao Felix

Rory Marsden @@roomarsdenFeatured ColumnistMay 24, 2019

Benfica's midfielder Joao Felix arrives to celebrate as Benfica won the Portuguese League Championship at the end of the Portuguese League football match between Benfica and Santa Clara at the Luz stadium in Porto on May 18, 2019. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/Getty Images

Benfica have yet to receive any offers for Joao Felix despite links to Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus, according to the club's executive administrator, Domingos Soares de Oliveira.

Felix enjoyed a breakout season in 2018-19, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists in 26 league games and earning a first Portugal call-up for their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Switzerland on June 5:

bet365 @bet365
He scored 15 goals, produced 7 assists in 26 league games in 18-19. He became the youngest Portuguese player to hit a hat-trick in the Europa League at 19 years & 152 days old. He's wanted by everyone. And now João Felix has received his first Portugal call-up. #WeareBenfica https://t.co/Hkz5Ffck8q

He has been compared with numerous legendary Portuguese players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Costa.

As a result of his impressive form, the 19-year-old has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Soares, though, told Portuguese outlet TVI24 that no club has made an offer and only a bid that meets Felix's release clause of €120 million (£106 million) is likely to be successful (h/t Adriana Garcia of ESPN FC):

"No offer has arrived. There is talk and rumours. It's true that top European clubs have expectations, but no proposal has arrived to us. To sell for the release clause? That is what we intend to do. As it is now, with respect to any of our starters, what we attempt is for their release clauses to be met.

"But we hope that doesn't happen. The aim is to keep the squad. If someone offers €100m for Felix, our intention is not to sell."

Felix is a hugely talented prospect and potentially has a trophy-laden future ahead of him after his first league title win.

His next move will be crucial to how his career advances.

He likely needs to go to a club for whom he will play regularly, as that will give him the best chance to improve.

As a result, Real may not be the ideal destination given they are hoping to add Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard to their squad this summer, according to Metro, and both players would be competing for places with Felix.

Dean Jones @DeanJonesBR
Madrid really are going to need a huge summer. Hazard, Pogba, Jovic and more!

The youngster has thrived recently in an advanced attacking role:

Statman Dave @StatmanDave
Since moving to Second Striker, only Kylian Mbappe (15) has been directly involved in more goals than Joao Felix (12) for players under the age of 21. https://t.co/lFCjcQUXWo

He can also operate as a No. 10 or on either flank.

The links to United are not surprising, as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to add young talent to the squad as he looks to build a title-winning side:

James Robson @jamesrobsonES
United are among the clubs trying to sign Daniel James. No deal done yet - but he’s the type of exciting, young player Solskjaer wants to form part of his rebuild this summer #mufc

Any move out of Portugal, though, will be a big step for Felix. There could be a benefit in staying at Benfica for another season, but it looks like he will move on if any club meets his release clause.