OPINION
West Ham summer target Joao Felix is reportedly expected to sign a new deal at Benfica – and it practically shatters any remaining hopes that the Hammers may have of signing the 18-year-old wonderkid.
In the summer transfer window, ESPN claimed that West Ham had been in talks over signing Felix after sending a delegation to Portugal.
It is understood that it would have been a major coup for the London club as the Portugal Under-21 international is seen as one of the best young talents in his country.
Manuel Pellegrini was not afraid to splash the cash on strengthening his squad over the summer, but if he still wants to sign Felix in the near future, it now seems as though he would have to spend a huge £107million.
According to Portuguese news outlet Record, super-agent Jorge Mendes is working on a new deal for the Benfica attacker and tie him down to 2022, as well as insert a whopping release clause worth over £100million into any new agreement.
West Ham shattered their record transfer twice in the summer on Issa Diop and then Felipe Anderson, but the chances of them breaking the £100million barrier – something which has never been done by an English club – are as slim as they can get.
Felix has also started to break into Benfica’s first team this season. He has earned his senior debut and instantly became a fan favourite as he scored a last-ditch equaliser in a Lisbon derby draw with Sporting CP, which is not a bad way to score a first senior goal.
After such a poor start to the campaign by West Ham, some may already be looking at the January transfer window for them to dig their way out of trouble, but if they still want to sign Felix in the winter, then it looks as though it would be one massive long-shot.