Manchester United could well be inching closer to bringing Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix to England, following a promising update regarding the club’s interest in the Portugal international…

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, there appears to be positivity surrounding the potential addition of the 23-year-old, with the Red Devils seemingly eyeing an initial loan deal with the option to buy for a fee close to €100m (£88m).

Writing on Twitter about that developing story, the transfer insider stated: “Talks between #ManchesterUnited and #Atleti for Joao #Felix are progressing well. Under discussion an onerous loan with option to buy (around €90m/100m). After an initial closure, now the [Spanish] club seems open to evaluate this type of solution.”

The 28-cap starlet is believed to be keen on making the switch to the Theatre of Dreams, with reports last month having claimed that United are the forward’s “preference” should he depart the Wanda Metropolitano this month.

The former Benfica ace – who previously scored 20 goals and provided 11 assists in just 43 games for the Lisbon outfit – is facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital, having started just six La Liga games under Diego Simeone this season.

Despite that lack of action, the “special” talent – as lauded by teammate Alvaro Morata – still has seven goal contributions to his name in the league this term, having also registered one goal and two assists at the World Cup in Qatar.

Should Erik ten Hag and co bring the dynamic forward to the club this month, the hope would be that he can replicate the impact of another striker who traded life at Atleti for Manchester in the form of Sergio Aguero, with the now-retired Argentine having previously shone for United’s arch-rivals, Manchester City.