Report: Juventus meet with Benfica to discuss Joao Felix

In Juventus’ first preseason friendly this past summer, the opponent was Portuguese side Benfica. It was that red-and-white-clad Portuguese side that fielded a teenager by the name of Joao Felix. You might not have known it at the time since you were obviously more interested in the Juventus side of things, but Joao Felix was on the field in New Jersey.

That was in late-July.

Now, in late-February, we have another story where Joao Felix and Juventus will be mentioned in the same breath. Instead of a game recap, though, this is regarding the possibility of Joao Felix quite possibly being a Juventus player.

According to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus and Benfica — as well as a little-known Portuguese agent by the name of Jorge Mendes — met on Wednesday to discuss that same 19-year-old striker by the name of Joao Felix. From Di Marzio’s report:

Juventus met today with the president of Benfica and agent Jorge Mendes to discuss the young, talented Portuguese player Joao Felix, who plays as the second attacker in Bruno Lage’s 4-4-1-1 behind Seferovic.

But, wait ... there’s more. Like who has also met with Benfica regarding Joao Felix.

Yesterday, Benfica met with the two Manchester clubs -- City and United. Today was the bianconeri’s turn. Benfica is looking to understand what offers could potentially be made for the youngster, and an interesting future in Italy may be on the horizon.

Ah, good. Just we like to hear, right? Time to compete for the signing of a player with a pair of England-based clubs who throw around money like I used throw down pasta on Sunday dinners with my family when I lived at home after college.

But, when you see what Joao Felix has done and how young he is, it becomes pretty obvious that he ain’t gonna come cheap no matter who else is interested in signing him.

While he hasn’t made a senior level appearance for his country just yet, Joao Felix has scored four goals in 10 appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side. On top of this, he has eight goals and five assists in 15 appearances this season.

I’d say that’s pretty good reason — on top of the fact that he’s got the same agent as two of Juventus’ biggest summer signings seven months ago — for Fabio Paratici to be interested.