Manchester United interested in Atletico Madrid record buy Joao Felix

Manchester United have earmarked Atletico Madrid starlet Joao Felix as a potential transfer target this summer, claims Le10Sport.

Felix has endured a difficult first season at Atletico since completing a club-record €126m (£113m) move from boyhood club Benfica last summer.

His decision to join Atletico over the likes of Manchester City raised eyebrows at the time given the style of play under Diego Simeone and the youngster has struggled.

After just one season at the club, United are monitoring his future with a view to making a move for the Portugal international.

Following the success of January arrival Bruno Fernandes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now has his eye on another Portuguese talent.

Felix has been indentified as the natural heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's throne for the national team following his remarkable success at Benfica last season.

Emulating Ronaldo's footsteps and playing for United could well appeal to Felix and United would unlikely have any difficulty enlisting the help of super agent Jorge Mendes to broker a deal.

Atletico, however, are not considering Felix's departure and are still confident he can fill the void left by Antoine Griezmann, who joined Barcelona last summer.

The 20-year-old took Portugal by storm last season with 15 goals and seven assists in 26 league appearances for Benfica.

However, Felix has returned just four goals from 50 attempts across his first 20 league appearances for Atletico this season.