Manchester City are looking to offer Benfica a loan-back deal in an attempt to tempt the Portuguese side to part with wonderkid Joao Felix ahead of rivals Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.
The 19-year-old striker has been on red hot form for club and country this season, which has led to a number of clubs looking to secure his services, whose release clause is rumoured to be around £105m.
It was initially thought that Atletico Madrid had the upper hand in securing a deal for the striker by assuring the youngster that he would be granted first-team football if he made the move over to Spain.
However, according
The loan-back option comes following hints by the Lisbon club that they were hoping to broker a deal that would allow the striker to spend one more year in the capital.
Benfica President
The Premier League champions hope that this offer will put them in pole position to secure a deal for the striker, as they look to find a backup for Sergio Aguero in the next few seasons.
City will hope that the loan-back offer will enable a strong negotiating stance that could see the Citizens pay less than the £105m that Benfica are demanding.
In 43 appearances last season, the striker scored 20 goals and assisted his teammates 11 times.
Source : 90min