Joao Felix could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid this summer, as the La Liga club seeks to include him in a deal for Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann.
And this comes after Manchester United discussed a big deal for the youngster with Diego Simeone's team a year ago. Felix has fallen short of expectations in Spain, scoring only 13 La Liga goals in two years.
When Atletico Madrid defeated Europe's elite at Felix in 2019, it was regarded as a significant victory.
After losing Griezmann to Barcelona, Simeone realized he needed a talented forward to help the club cope without the France international.
So Atletico Madrid paid £113 million to sign Felix, who had excelled at Benfica the previous season, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.
However, nearly two years later, the 21-year-time old's at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium may be coming to an end.
The issue is that their La Liga giants are unwilling to play ball. Not at the moment, at any rate.
So, with that in mind, let's go back in time to a year ago.
Manchester United had made it clear that they wanted to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, but as time passed, they began to look for alternatives.
Le10 Sport then claimed that United had spoken with Atletico about possibly signing Felix, who had only scored seven goals in La Liga last season.
The Red Devils, for one, though he could be the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
And they had an ally on their side in Jorge Mendes, the super-agent who has long had a good relationship with the top brass at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were said to have ‘dreamed of the chance' to sign Felix, who, at the age of 20, certainly fit the profile of player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desired.
However, things did not work out in the end.
Instead, United swooped for Edinson Cavani, who increased his goal tally for the season to 16 with a fine effort against Fulham on Tuesday night.
It remains to be seen whether they can rekindle Felix's interest.
Atletico Madrid is willing to let go of the 21-year-old in exchange for Griezmann, and the Frenchman is eager to return to his former club.
However, Barcelona does not want Portugal international, which means that something must give.
Felix could return to Benfica, where he admitted a year ago that he would be willing to play.
“I realize now how happy I was at Benfica,” he said.
“One day, I hope to return and leave my mark on the club.”
Felix also discusses his sensational goal against Porto, saying, "A lot was said on social media in the build-up to the Benfica vs Porto match about the fact that I had left the club, I know the players didn't like it."
“We were losing 1-0; it was a crucial game; if we won, we'd be first... I won the lottery.
“I began celebrating the goal with arrogance, looking at their expressions.
This was my chance. It's a lovely sensation. To be honest, I was disappointed that it didn't last longer.”
Felix also admitted that he sobbed after scoring a hat-trick for Benfica against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
“I cried when I scored the third goal. “It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders,” he said.
“Two days ago, in the locker room, I overheard comments that didn't sit well with me. I went to the restroom to sob.
“No one knew, but when I got the hat-trick and felt a weight lifted off my shoulders, I gave it everything I had.”
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