Manchester United presently appears to be interested in adding a new custodian and a new striker ahead of the upcoming campaign, although other deals could yet be made this summer.

According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst for the Manchester Evening News, manager Erik ten Hag would like to bring in a second forward in addition to a new number nine, with the Dutchman looking for a player who can ‘play throughout the front three’.

It would make sense to improve the forward line by bringing in a versatile target given that players like Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho have recently been connected with exits, while Anthony Martial also has an unclear future with only one year remaining on his contract.

Atletico Madrid wonder Joao Felix, who has recently been linked to United, is one player who might prove to be the ideal choice to fill that ambiguous job at Old Trafford, according to recent reports in Spain.

The 31-cap Portugal international is claimed to be’seduced’ by the idea of staying in the Premier League, with clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa currently expressing an interest. The player spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea.

The idea is that Atleti’s £113 million acquisition, who under Diego Simeone fell out of favour, may be permitted to secure another temporary release, leaving the door open for the Red Devils to sign the 5 foot 11 jewel this summer.

What is Joao Felix’s current market value?

The fleet-footed wizard, who was earning almost £195k per week during his time in west London, was hailed as a “sensational footballer” by transfer insider Felix Johnston during his most recent loan term at Stamford Bridge. He would undoubtedly be a major coup for Ten Hag and company.

The former Benfica star, who is currently valued at about €140 million (£120 million), may have fallen down the pecking order at his parent club, but he is still a wonderfully exceptional talent who has amassed 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 games for the club.

The highly regarded ace has recently dazzled thanks to his artistic abilities; this capacity to open the door and demonstrate first-rate assistance to his colleagues is demonstrated by the fact that he ranks in the top 5% of his European peers for progressive passes.

Felix, an ex-Southampton player who flourished under the direction of the Dutchman at Ajax, might be able to follow in Dusan Tadic’s footsteps by becoming the creative engine in a Ten Hag team thanks to that talent.

Like Felix, Tadic is a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the forward line or in a playmaking capacity. Ten Hag’s tenure as manager of the Eredivisie giants saw Tadic accumulate an incredible 92 goals and 91 assists in 194 games, making him the true engine of the team.

The playmaker, 34, who recently announced his departure from the Amsterdam club, was a memorable member of the Ajax team that advanced to the Champions League semifinals in 2018–19, having contributed to 11 goals in just 12 games during that campaign.

Tadic is undoubtedly a player that Ten Hag, 53, has employed frequently throughout his management career, which is why he sought for Felix, a more youthful replacement.

The ability to dribble is one area where the two players differ noticeably. The latter player averages an astounding 3.11 progressive carries per 90 minutes to place in the top 6% of Europe’s top five leagues, while the senior free agent only averages 2.95 for the same metric.

If a deal with Atleti can be reached this summer, Felix appears to have the potential to become Ten Hag’s successor to Tadic. Both players are clearly agile, creative talents who can easily glide across the pitch.