Manchester United are believed to be plotting a move to sign Atletico Madrid sensation, Joao Felix, in the January transfer window, as the search for a new attacking recruit continues.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are seemingly interested in signing the Portugal international next month, albeit with the 23-year-old’s reported €100m (£86m) asking price potentially set to prove ‘problematic’.

That being said, however, the report goes on to add that the Old Trafford outfit are considering making an offer of an initial loan deal with an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer.

This follows a previous report from Football Transfers’ Jacque Talbot who suggested that the former Benfica man’s “preference” is to join Erik ten Hag’s side, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also suggesting that the 28-cap gem is “available” in 2023, amid his current struggles in the Spanish capital.

The fleet-footed “sensation” – as previously described by journalist Sacha Pisani – has endured a frustrating start to the campaign under Diego Simeone, having been restricted to just five La Liga starts thus far.

Even so, the £240k-per-week genius has still managed to rack up six goal involvements in the top flight so far this term, having provided 51 goals and assists in 129 games in total since his £113m switch from Lisbon.

While the 5 foot 11 gem has perhaps been unable to quite live up to that price tag – after previously scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 games at his former club – his quality has only recently been illustrated on the World Cup stage, having sparkled for Fernando Santos’ side in Qatar.

Despite the eventual disappointment of crashing out to surprise package Morocco at the quarter-final stage, Felix had been a key figure for his country prior to that, notably producing a dazzling display in the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland after laying on two assists from his left-wing berth.

Such a quality asset would no doubt help to bolster Ten Hag’s forward options, with the Viseu-born superstar potentially able to form a truly mouthwatering partnership with Marcus Rashford in the side, with the pair able to interchange off the left and through the middle.

The England ace – who netted three times for the Three Lions in Qatar – has looked a man reborn this season under the former Ajax boss, with the 25-year-old currently the club’s top scorer with eight goals in all competitions to date.

While still not prolific, the academy graduate has notably popped up with vital goals against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool having posed a truly menacing threat in behind with his sheer pace and finishing prowess.