Atletico Madrid have taunted Manchester United over their failed bid to sign Joao Felix this summer.
The struggling Premier League club have embarked on an increasingly frantic late-window trolley dash as they seek to improve Erik ten Hag’s struggling squad before the transfer deadline.
Ten Hag has been limited to just three signings so far and has been frustrated in his attempts to bolster the two areas of his team that critically need addressing.
An reliance on midfielders McTominay and Fred was brutally exposed in the defeats to Brighton and Brentford, while a forward line starved of confidence has failed to score in the opening two matches of the campaign.
With Cristiano Ronaldo hellbent on leaving and Anthony Martial, who impressed in pre-season, out through injury United have earmarked the signing of a striker as a key area in the next fortnight.
United’s target have ranged from experienced journeymen who would represent a short-term fix, like Arnautovic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to up and coming superstars like Atletico’s Felix.
The 22-year-old was firmly on United’s radar before he joined Atletico three years ago but chose a transfer move to Spain from Benfica instead.
It has taken time for the player to establish himself in Diego Simeone’s side but he is quickly beginning to fulfil the potential that marked him out as the new Cristiano Ronaldo when he broke through as a youngster at Benfica.
His displays last season prompted United, according to reports in Spain, to launch a £110m bid earlier this week which was rejected by Atletico.
The La Liga club responded to the intense speculation by posting a picture of Felix on Twitter accompanied by the word ‘priceless’ seemingly taunting United’s attempts to snare their prize asset.
United also held an interest in Felix’s current teammate Matheus Cunha but his €100million release clause is likely to prove an obstacle, while the player is said to be unsure over a move to Old Trafford.
The same was the case for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, who turned down United earlier in the window while his teammate Antony is also set to commit his future to the Dutch club.
A move, meanwhile, for Adrien Rabiot collapsed this week after United failed to agree personal terms with the Juventus midfielder and the focus has switched to attempting to sign Real Madrid’s Casemiro instead.
