Benfica star Joao Felix joins Atletico Madrid

Benfica star Joao Felix has already passed his medical with Atletico Madrid and signed a contract, according to Onda Cero.

On Monday, Marca reported the deal was ‘imminent’ after his €120m release clause was met by Los Rojiblancos.

Atleti are willing to trigger the 19-year-old’s clause in a deal which will eclipse their previous club record – the capture of winger Thomas Lemar from Monaco, a move which cost a potential €72m.

The fresh reports follows on from Diario AS citing a report in Portuguese outlet Record which stated the teenager was already in the Spanish capital to complete his move.

It is claimed the Felix deal will be funded by Antoine Griezmann’s exit from the club – a release clause also standing at €120m – which would also represent a record sale for Los Rojiblancos.

It is also said that the promise of regular first-team football, the role of Coach Diego Simeone and his agent Jorge Mendes’s relationship with Atleti all as being key.

Felix, 19, has risen to prominence for the Lisbon-based giants this season and netted 20 goals while registering 11 assists for the club, who regained the Portuguese top-flight.

The player’s contract at the Lisbon-based giants run through until 2023 although previous reports have claimed Benfica are trying to move this up to €200m with a new deal.

Felix has netted in two Lisbon derbies against Sporting CP this season and also scored against FC Porto in a key title clash in January.

That has led to the attack-minded midfielder being labelled as ‘the next Cristiano Ronaldo’ while Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United have also scouted the player.

The player is said to be versatile and can operate in a number of attacking positions, while he starred in the UEFA Youth League semi-finals in 2016-17 against Real Madrid.

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