Manchester United are reportedly ‘unwilling’ to meet Atletico Madrid’s financial demands for Joao Felix.
Even at the start of the season, United looked somewhat light up front, a situation that has not been helped by Anthony Martial’s lack of fitness and Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of form and subsequent departure.
The club had strongly been linked with a move for PSV’s Cody Gakpo, though have seen Liverpool swoop in to steal a march on any potential deal, with the Dutch international now expected to move to Merseyside.
Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix is another player who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the Portuguese reportedly unhappy with his involvement at the Spanish club and keen to leave in January.
However, according to the Times, United are unwilling to meet Atletico’s demands.
The La Liga side are thought to be willing to let the 23-year-old leave, but would only sanction a temporary departure and would not want to include any options to make the move permanent. They are also said to be wanting interested parties to pay Felix’s wages in full, as well as a loan fee of around £8 million.
That would take the outlay to around £16 million for the six month spell, a figure that United are unwilling to fork out given their record £220 million summer outlay.
United’s three goals against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday took their tally to just 23 in the league this season, with Erik ten Hag admitting afterwards that the club are on the lookout for a forward.
“We are looking for offensive players. We are looking for a striker,” ten Hag admitted.
“We are always in the market, but it has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria. We do what we can to bring in the players we need.”
The report says that the Red Devil’s ‘intention is to sign a short-term deal for an orthodox centre forward’, though ‘could switch to a versatile forward instead if the right player becomes available for a reasonable price.’
Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with the Portugal international.
