Benfica president accepts Man Utd target Joao Felix will be sold… but hopes £106m star could return immediately on loan

BENFICA'S president has admitted £106million sensation Joao Felix will be sold this summer.

But he hopes his club can take the youngster back on loan for one more season to continue his development.

The Portuguese side look set to make a huge windfall when they inevitably let the forward go, especially with the big money the Premier League can offer.

Manchester City and Manchester United are both very interested in the Portugal international, who made his senior debut for his country on Wednesday.

Felix, 19, has a £106m release clause in his contract, meaning whichever team secures his signature will have to smash the British transfer record, which currently stands at £89m.

There were reports in Portugal this week that City had triggered that release clause and had therefore leapfrogged to the front of the queue.

But whether it is City, United, Real Madrid, Juventus or another footballing giant, Benfica have resigned themselves to losing Felix this summer.

President Luis Filipe Vieira said: “We sit down with players and they say, 'President, I can earn €5m (£4.5m), president, do not make me stay here.'

“Joao Felix had a release clause of €60m (£53m) and we realised after two or three games that we must increase it to €120m (£106m).

“But it is Joao Felix and his family who will decide if he stays.

We are trying everything to ensure he stays. But the only way is if we sell him and keep him another year.

Luis Filipe Vieira, Benfica president

“If someone bids €120m (£106m) it is not worth dreaming that he will stay.

“We are trying everything to ensure he stays. But the only way is if we sell him and keep him another year.

“If not, Joao leaves. There is no room to negotiate further. He doesn't want to.

“How will Benfica negotiate with someone after he is given a proposal of €6m (£5.3m) after tax?”

Clearly Vieira is well aware that the European giants will be able to give the teenager wages far bigger than his club could offer.

But the idea of taking him back on loan, giving him another year of development in an environment he knows well, could be a sensible option.

Pep Guardiola faces the risk of losing Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich this summer.

Although the Etihad side are confident he will sign a new deal, Sane could be sold for around £90m, therefore covering the majority of the Felix's fee.

Similarly, United could sell the likes of Paul Pogba, David De Gea, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to help raise funds and begin the clear-out at Old Trafford.

Felix is set to make his second international appearance this evening when his Portugal side take on the Netherlands in the inaugural Nations League final.