Manchester United are in pole position to sign wantaway Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

The breakdown in Felix’s and Diego Simeone’s relationship is an open secret. Simeone himself alluded to this in comments he made, in which he said no player is untouchable.

Felix has been linked to a number of clubs in England.

Alongside United, Chelsea and Arsenal are also in the race for the Portuguese’s signature in their efforts to bring in attacking reinforcements.

A report earlier this month indicated that Felix’s preferred destination is Old Trafford, where he would come in as Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor.

United’s need for an attack-minded forward was made desperate by Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure from the club. The situation has been heightened by Liverpool’s hijacking of the Cody Gakpo deal.

Gakpo was Erik ten Hag’s number one target to replace Ronaldo but has now been officially confirmed as a Liverpool player.

To the great relief of united fans,Marca via SportWitness reports that the Red Devils are the club best placed to sign Felix, with his exit from the Wanda Metropolitano all but assured.

“Manchester United are named by Marca, who explain they are the ‘best placed’ team to acquire Félix’s signature in January,” the outlet relays.

“First, though, Erik ten Hag’s side must make a proposal that can convince Atlético to sanction the player’s move in the upcoming window.”

“The Madrid club want to sort out this case as soon as possible, but they have not received any proposals so far, and Atlético haven’t hesitated to point out that Félix will not leave if they don’t receive a satisfactory offer.”

Yesterday a report emerged which indicated that while United are admirers of Felix, club bosses may not be willing to sanction an expensive loan spell whose total package runs to the tune of €22m.

Manchester United give up plans to sign Ligue 1 defender in January transfer window

Manchester United have scrapped plans to put in a bid for Olympique Lyon star Malo Gusto in the upcoming transfer window, according to the Daily Mail (h/t Manchester Evening News).

Manchester United ‘enquired’ about Olympique Lyon star Malo Gusto in the recent transfer window. (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, the Red Devils will try to pursue the Ligue 1 outfit to part ways with the 19-year-old next summer. While the Old Trafford side are keen on a new right-back, they will have to wait a bit.

The Manchester-based club, along with Premier League rivals Newcastle United, are interested in the youngster. However, a move for him in January is ‘unlikely’.

Manchester United will bid for Lyon’s Malo Gusto next summer. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe’s team are flying high at the moment. The Magpies are sitting third in the English top flight. They spent some money in the recent transfer window. Currently, the Saint James’ Park side can call upon the likes of Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo.

Gusto has come up through the ranks at Lyon and broke into the first team last season. The France U21 international has cemented his place in Les Gones’ starting lineup in the current campaign.

This term, while the 19-year-old has mostly played at right-back, he has also been deployed a bit further up the pitch on some occasions. The youngster has featured 14 times in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season.

At the moment, Diogo Dalot is the first-choice right-back at United. The Portugal international has been a pivotal player for Erik ten Hag.

However, while the 23-year-old has enjoyed a lot of game time, Aaron Wan Bissaka seems to be out of favour. Only recently has the England U21 international been given opportunities in the Dutch manager’s starting lineup.

The former Crystal Palace star has done well when he has been given the chances. But if the 25-year-old decides to leave the Old Trafford side for more game time, Gusto seems like a wise option to bring to Manchester.

SOURCE: thepeoplesperson.com