Football
Adriana Garcia 5y

No offers yet for 'new Ronaldo' Felix - Benfica

Benfica have said they have not received any offers for Joao Felix, who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, but expect clubs to make a move over the summer.

Attacking midfielder Felix, who has a €120 million release clause in his contract, is reported to be interesting clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus.

The 19-year-old, called up to Portugal's Nations League squad on Thursday, scored 15 goals and set up nine more in 26 league appearances to help Benfica win the title in his debut season.

"No offer has arrived," Benfica executive administrator Domingo Soares told Portuguese TV channel TVI24.

"There is talk and rumours. It's true that top European clubs have expectations, but no proposal has arrived to us.

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"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."

Benfica president Luis Filipe Viera said last month that the club wants to win a European trophy and has no intention of selling star players.

"€100m is a lot of money," Soares added. "There was never a player that was sold for that figure in Portugal. But our goal is to win on the pitch, and we will do everything for that to happen.

"Does Benfica need to sell? Our financial situation is more robust that in the past. In any case, selling is part of the business."

Felix is under contract at Benfica until June 2023, and Soares has said the club wants to increase his release clause.

"I think the president intends to review it," he said. "But on the other hand, you have the player, the agent and his family.

"What we have to do is to anticipate ourselves, looking at the potential of the player, as long as we can persuade the other party."

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